Two numbers, two realities: the official report lists 3.3 million copies sold, but according to the developers, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has already passed 4.4 million sales. That’s a 25% difference.

Developed by Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has become one of this year’s biggest surprises. (The other being the long-awaited Hollow Knight: Silksong.) On Metacritic, it currently holds the highest rating among 2025 releases, with an official figure of 3.3 million units sold just 33 days after launch. Yet Gamereactor uncovered an interview in which the devs admitted the real number: 4.4 million copies sold, marking another sales milestone. That’s a full quarter more than the public tally.

In an interview with the French outlet Clips du Lundi, technical character designer Amandine Marest, producer Benjamin Dimanche, and lead programmer Florian Torres spoke candidly about the numbers. While the publicly shared figure remains at 3.3 million, Marest confirmed that sales had reached 4.4 million. Torres elaborated further, clarifying the actual state of the game’s performance.

For an indie title, this is an extraordinary achievement. Clair Obscur seemed to appear out of nowhere, despite some spotlight during Xbox showcases. The origin story of Sandfall Interactive is a familiar one in the industry: developers leave the AAA scene to create the kind of game they’ve always dreamed of, inspired by their favorites. However, it’s rare for such studios to achieve Sandfall’s level of success, especially considering how subscription availability (such as Xbox Game Pass) often dampens sales.

Sandfall, however, is determined to capitalize on the triumph of its debut. The studio has confirmed its ambition to expand Clair Obscur into a broader franchise.

Source: WCCFTech