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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Enters The Game Awards as Frontrunner After Sub-$10 Million Budget Confirmed

A New York Times report verifies the lean spend behind Sandfall’s breakout, underscoring a small‑team model challenging big‑budget assumptions.

Overview

  • The record most‑nominated title heads into tonight’s Game Awards as the perceived favorite for top honors, including Game of the Year.
  • Sandfall confirmed a development budget under $10 million, paired with a $50 launch price, fueling wider discussion of sustainable production.
  • Development was led by a core team of about 30 with outsourced battle animation work to a studio in Korea, prompting debate over ‘indie’ award classifications.
  • The game has sold more than 5 million copies and set Xbox Game Pass records, extending its momentum beyond critical acclaim.
  • Industry plaudits continue, with Destructoid naming it Game of the Year and composer Austin Wintory praising the team, as the studio highlights an intentionally ambiguous ending shaped by internal creative debates.