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Sandfall Stays Small as Veteran Dev Marvels at Expedition 33’s AAA Polish From a 30-Person Core

Sandfall says it will stay small to preserve hands-on creativity.

Overview

  • Adrian Chmielarz told GamesIndustry.biz he was stunned that a roughly 30-person core team, many of them juniors, delivered a game that looks AAA.
  • He highlighted deliberate production choices such as faceless enemies and theatre-style cutscenes, plus extensive outsourcing evident in lengthy credits.
  • Sandfall leaders Guillaume Broche and Tom Guillermin said they do not plan significant expansion, citing team cohesion and a focus on making games over managing.
  • Expedition 33 won Game of the Year at the New York Game Awards and received multiple nominations at the Game Developers Choice Awards and the DICE Awards.
  • Coverage has cited a budget under $10 million, intensifying industry discussion about whether high-end results require large teams or massive spend.