“And yes, it’s French!” It’s not every day a video game earns praise from a head of state, but Clair Obscur has managed to do just that – Emmanuel Macron himself has congratulated Sandfall Interactive on their remarkable achievement.

Video games have long been evolving beyond mere entertainment, and today they are increasingly being recognized as a legitimate artistic and cultural medium. Japan, for instance, recently designated Metaphor: ReFantazio a significant national work. France hasn’t gone that far with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, but the developers at Sandfall Interactive can still hold their heads high—after all, none other than President Emmanuel Macron has publicly acknowledged their work.

It’s unclear whether Macron is a gamer, but he appreciates pop culture. When Akira Toriyama passed away in March 2024, the French President posted a heartfelt tribute to the legendary mangaka and to the global Dragon Ball community. He even shared a personal illustration signed by Toriyama that he keeps as a prized memento.

Whether or not he plays games, Macron clearly sees the cultural significance of Sandfall Interactive’s success. In a post on Instagram, he praised the studio’s courage in using a video game to showcase French storytelling and identity to the world—something he called both deeply personal and impressively bold.

“One million copies sold, and one of the best-rated games in history to date: and yes, it’s French!” Macron wrote, with a dash of tongue-in-cheek pride. He also applauded the studio’s talent: “Congratulations to Sandfall Interactive and everyone behind Expedition 33. They are a shining example of French creativity and daring.”

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Tops One Million Copies Sold

The signs of success were clear from launch day, when the game sold over 500,000 copies in its first 24 hours. It quickly doubled that figure, surpassing one million units within just three days—a stunning achievement for an independent studio. The reaction from both players and critics has been overwhelmingly positive, cementing its place as one of the most successful indie debuts in recent memory.

Source: 3djuegos