Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025 and makes history with 9 ...
*Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025 and makes history with 9 awards!* Los Angeles, December 12, 2025 – The French RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by the debut studio Sandfall Interactive, was the big winner at The Game Awards 2025, taking home the top prize of Game of the Year and eight more trophies – totaling nine wins, a new all-time record for the awards (surpassing the six wins of God of War Ragnarök in 2022). With 13 nominations (the most ever recorded in a single edition), the game dominated the main categories: • Game of the Year • Best Game Direction • Best Narrative • Best Art Direction • Best Soundtrack • Best Performance (Jennifer English as Maelle) • Best RPG • Best Independent Game • Best Indie Debut On the Peacock Theater stage, the small Sandfall team – who made the game with a budget of less than US$10 million – celebrated emotionally. The title surpassed heavyweights like Hades II, Death Stranding 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Donkey Kong Bananza to win GOTY. Other highlights of the night: • Best Action: Hades II • Best Adventure/Action: Hollow Knight: Silksong • Best Family: Donkey Kong Bananza • Multiplayer: ARC Raiders • Player Voice: Wuthering Waves Released in 2025, Clair Obscur has already sold over 5 million copies, was the biggest third-party launch on Game Pass of the year, and had already won seven awards at the Golden Joystick Awards. With its poetic narrative, innovative combat, and visuals inspired by French paintings, the game became a phenomenon and definitive proof that independent studios can shine brighter than any blockbuster. Congratulations, Sandfall Interactive! An unforgettable milestone for indies and the gaming industry. 🌹 (2,187 characters including spaces)
