When Bethesda unexpectedly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered at the same time as the launch of the role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many predicted a clear winner. However, Kepler Interactive, the publisher of Clair Obscur, reported that not only did Oblivion's release not negatively impact Clair Obscur, but it actually enhanced the excitement for the RPG genre, benefiting Clair Obscur's launch.
Matt Handrahan, Kepler Interactive's senior portfolio manager, shared insights with The Game Business on how Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 succeeded despite the simultaneous launch. RPG fans were initially faced with the choice between diving into the expansive world of Cyrodiil in Oblivion or embarking on a quest to defeat the Paintress in Clair Obscur. The concurrent releases elicited mixed reactions from the community, ranging from excitement to frustration. Kepler Interactive humorously acknowledged the situation on X/Twitter by posting an edited image of Clair Obscur characters entering an Oblivion Gate, captioned "omg its like barbenheimer," playfully referencing the simultaneous release of the films Barbie and Oppenheimer in 2023.
Microsoft, owning Bethesda and having heavily supported Clair Obscur since its reveal at an Xbox Showcase, faced criticism for the timing of Oblivion's shadow drop, especially with both games available on Game Pass from day one.
Handrahan explained that Clair Obscur had a unique identity that appealed to a different audience than the Western-style RPG fans of Oblivion. He noted, "We always knew that Expedition 33 had a very specific identity... I saw the Western-style RPG and the Japanese-style RPG as having quite different appeals and audiences." He further emphasized that Clair Obscur had built its own momentum and confidence, bolstered by its price point and inclusion in Game Pass. Handrahan stated, "And it went as well as it possibly could have done in our eyes. And, actually, proximity to Oblivion didn't seem to harm us at all. In many ways, I think it just drew attention to quality RPGs that week and everybody was thinking and talking about the genre."
Clair Obscur has proven to be a major success for Kepler Interactive and its French developer, Sandfall Interactive, selling over 1 million copies within three days and achieving impressive concurrent player numbers on Steam. This success was even acknowledged by French President Macron, who praised the development team. Meanwhile, Bethesda announced that Oblivion Remastered attracted over 4 million players since its launch, though sales figures were not disclosed. It also saw significant concurrent player numbers on Steam.
Data from Ampere, cited by The Game Business, showed that 35% of Clair Obscur players also played Oblivion Remastered, indicating a substantial overlap, especially among Game Pass users. The overlap was less pronounced on Steam and PlayStation 5.
For those interested in Oblivion Remastered, there's a wealth of content available, including a report on a player who managed to explore beyond Cyrodiil into Valenwood, Skyrim, and even Hammerfell, the rumored setting for The Elder Scrolls VI. Additionally, a comprehensive guide offers an Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and Guild Quests, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, PC Cheat Codes, and more.
For Clair Obscur enthusiasts, be sure to check out our tips for important things to know before starting your adventure.
Did You Play The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, or Both?
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Both
