Unveiling the Success of Clair Obscur: An Exclusive Interview with Sandfall and Kepler

The phenomenal success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has brought attention to its developer, Sandfall Interactive, and publisher, Kepler Interactive. With over 2 million copies sold within 12 days of launch, the game's achievement has sparked hope in the gaming industry. Kepler Interactive, known for its focus on original titles with distinctive art styles and groundbreaking gameplay, has been making waves since its establishment in 2021. Shuhei Yoshida, former president of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios, praises Kepler for its commitment to creativity and innovation, stating that they have a high standard for choosing games to publish and are a pleasure to work with. Kepler's unique structure, where it is co-owned by a group of studios operating autonomously, allows for a collaborative aspect while maintaining creative freedom. The company's goal is to provide support to each studio, enabling them to focus on being creative. Sandfall's COO, François Meurisse, reveals that the team's passion for revitalizing flashy, 3D, turn-based JRPGs drove the development of Clair Obscur. The game's success has exceeded their expectations, and they are now looking forward to their next project. Meurisse emphasizes the importance of maintaining a small, agile team, with a focus on quality over quantity, to ensure the creative strength and smartness of the group. He also questions the link between game length and price, citing examples like Inside, which offers an intense experience despite its short duration. Kepler's portfolio director, Matthew Handrahan, notes that the company wants to build a brand as the home for high-quality, mid-sized games with unique visions. He believes that other publishers could follow this model, and Kepler's approach to mitigating risk involves market research, subjective excitement, and a belief in the vision and creativity of the games they sign. By championing innovative and untested visions, Kepler aims to make a lasting impact on the gaming industry.