Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Outshines Assassin’s Creed Shadows in a Historic Sales Showdown
The Unexpected Triumph of Clair Obscur
In a stunning turn of events, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a turn-based RPG developed by the relatively unknown Sandfall Interactive, has reportedly outsold Ubisoft’s blockbuster Assassin’s Creed Shadows in key markets, marking a seismic upset in the gaming industry. Released in late April 2025, Clair Obscur sold an astonishing 2 million copies worldwide in just 12 days, with 1 million units moved in its first three days alone. This remarkable feat, achieved by a studio of just over 30 developers—many of whom are former Ubisoft employees—has been hailed as a David-versus-Goliath victory, with fans and critics alike celebrating the game’s critical acclaim and commercial success. Meanwhile, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, despite strong sales and critical praise, has been overshadowed by the indie darling, fueling narratives of Ubisoft’s humiliation at the hands of its former talent.
The buzz began on platforms like X, where posts claimed Clair Obscur surpassed Shadows in concurrent Steam player numbers and overall sales in certain regions. One user exclaimed, “Clair Obscur SMASHES Assassin’s Creed Shadows, outselling it!” while another noted that the indie RPG achieved higher player counts in its first 24 hours than Shadows did at its peak. While exact sales figures for Shadows remain undisclosed, industry analysts confirm it was the best-selling game in the U.S. for three weeks post-launch on March 20, 2025, and ranked second in revenue for March, trailing only Monster Hunter Wilds. However, Clair Obscur’s meteoric rise, coupled with its availability on Xbox Game Pass, has led to claims that it has outperformed Ubisoft’s AAA juggernaut in key metrics, particularly in digital sales and player engagement.
The Roots of Clair Obscur’s Success
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by Montpellier-based Sandfall Interactive, is a visually stunning turn-based RPG inspired by Japanese classics like Final Fantasy and Persona. Directed by Guillaume Broche, a former Ubisoft brand development manager and narrative lead, the game was born out of Broche’s boredom at Ubisoft, where he felt constrained by the publisher’s formulaic approach to titles like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Broche founded Sandfall Interactive and assembled a team of passionate developers, many of whom were junior talent or ex-Ubisoft staff seeking creative freedom. The result is a $50 game that balances AAA fidelity with indie sensibility, earning it praise as the “highest-rated new game of 2025” on Metacritic, tied with Blue Prince but bolstered by more reviews.
The game’s success is attributed to its innovative gameplay, blending turn-based combat with real-time mechanics, and its haunting narrative centered on Expedition 33, a group navigating a surreal, paint-like world. Critics have lauded its “unreal visuals” and “gloomy yet proud” aesthetic, drawing comparisons to Bloodborne for its atmospheric depth. Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida called it “the perfect balance” of ambition and scope, arguing it represents “the path the industry should be pursuing” amid rising AAA budgets. The game’s rapid sales—500,000 copies in days and 2 million in under two weeks—reflect its broad appeal, despite launching in the shadow of bigger titles like Oblivion Remastered.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows: A Strong Contender Overshadowed
Assassin’s Creed Shadows, released on March 20, 2025, was Ubisoft’s flagship title for the year, set in feudal Japan and developed by a “superteam” from Ubisoft Montreal and Quebec. The RPG, featuring dual protagonists Naoe and Yasuke, has been praised for its lush open world, refined stealth mechanics, and cultural authenticity, earning positive reviews and topping U.S. sales charts for three weeks. It also secured the second-highest day-one revenue in the Assassin’s Creed series, with a significant portion coming from Steam, marking Ubisoft’s return to the platform after a hiatus since 2019. The game’s post-launch roadmap, including the Claws of Awaji expansion and updates like New Game Plus, reflects Ubisoft’s commitment to its community.
Despite these achievements, Shadows has faced challenges. Its launch was marred by delays, pushing it from a planned 2024 release to 2025, and cultural controversies, with some critics targeting its historical accuracy. While it has sold well—ranking second only to Monster Hunter Wilds in 2025 U.S. sales—its performance has been overshadowed by Clair Obscur’s unexpected dominance. Posts on X have highlighted Clair Obscur’s higher Steam player counts, with 68,000 concurrent players in its first day compared to Shadows’ peak of 64,000, fueling narratives of Ubisoft’s “humiliation.” The comparison is not entirely fair, as Shadows is a $70 AAA title with a broader platform release, while Clair Obscur benefits from Game Pass and a lower price point. Nonetheless, the perception of an indie outperforming a giant has taken hold.
The Ubisoft Connection: A Tale of Former Devs
The narrative of Clair Obscur’s triumph is amplified by its Ubisoft roots. Guillaume Broche and several team members, including lead writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, who responded to a Reddit post for voice actors before transitioning to writing, are ex-Ubisoft developers. Broche’s departure from Ubisoft in 2020 was driven by a desire to create something “different,” inspired by his love for JRPGs like Final Fantasy. The myth that Clair Obscur was made by “30 ex-Ubisoft devs” has been debunked, as the team is larger and includes diverse talent, but the Ubisoft connection remains a potent talking point. Fans on X have framed it as a poetic irony, with one user stating, “Their own damn ex-devs made a more commercially successful game with 1/70th of the manpower compared to AC Shadows.”
This narrative has been exaggerated for effect, with some claiming Clair Obscur “humiliated” Ubisoft. In reality, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a commercial success, and Ubisoft’s broader portfolio, including plans for nine more Assassin’s Creed titles, suggests resilience. However, the comparison highlights a growing sentiment that AAA studios like Ubisoft, known for formulaic open-world games, are being outshined by smaller teams willing to take risks. Clair Obscur’s lean production, contrasted with Shadows’ massive budget, has fueled discussions about unsustainable AAA costs, with fans and analysts questioning whether Ubisoft’s approach can compete with agile, creative indies.
Fan Reactions: A Divided Gaming Community
The online reaction to Clair Obscur’s reported sales edge over Shadows has been electric. On X, users have celebrated the underdog story, with posts proclaiming, “Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Surpasses Assassins Creed Shadows in SALES.. Prove me wrong @Ubisoft.” Others have taken a more confrontational tone, accusing game journalists of “gaslighting” by touting Shadows’ success while ignoring Clair Obscur’s dominance. The sentiment reflects frustration with AAA studios, with some fans arguing that Clair Obscur’s success, like Baldur’s Gate 3’s in 2023, exposes the industry’s overhyped narratives.
Not all reactions dismiss Shadows. Fans of Ubisoft’s game have defended its quality, with one X user noting, “Shadows is notably good and doing pretty well, let’s not pretend it’s a flop.” Critics of the “humiliation” narrative argue that comparing a $50 indie RPG to a $70 AAA title with different market dynamics is misleading. Shadows’ strong sales, particularly on Steam, and its planned expansions suggest it remains a powerhouse, but Clair Obscur’s meteoric rise has undeniably stolen the spotlight, framing Sandfall Interactive as a new force in gaming.
The Bigger Picture: A Shift in Gaming
The Clair Obscur versus Assassin’s Creed Shadows saga reflects broader trends in the gaming industry. As AAA budgets balloon—Shadows reportedly cost over $200 million—smaller studios like Sandfall Interactive are proving that innovation and passion can yield massive returns. Clair Obscur’s success, driven by a modest team and a vision unburdened by corporate constraints, echoes the rise of indie hits like Hollow Knight and Stardew Valley. Meanwhile, Ubisoft faces mounting pressure, with a recent $1.25 billion investment from Tencent and a spinoff subsidiary focusing on Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six, signaling a restructuring amid financial challenges.
The “humiliation” narrative may be overstated, but it underscores a growing appetite for fresh, experimental games over predictable AAA formulas. Clair Obscur’s triumph is a wake-up call for giants like Ubisoft, suggesting that players crave bold storytelling and innovative mechanics, even from smaller teams. As Assassin’s Creed Shadows continues its post-launch support and Clair Obscur cements its status as a 2025 standout, the contrast between the two highlights a pivotal moment in gaming, where the lines between indie and AAA are blurring.
Looking Ahead: A New Gaming Landscape
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s reported sales victory over Assassin’s Creed Shadows is more than a headline—it’s a testament to the power of creativity and determination. While Ubisoft’s flagship title remains a commercial hit, the indie RPG’s meteoric rise has reshaped perceptions, proving that a small team of ex-Ubisoft developers can outshine their former employer. As the industry grapples with rising costs and shifting player expectations, Clair Obscur stands as a beacon of what’s possible, sparking hope for a future where bold ideas trump bloated budgets. For now, Sandfall Interactive’s triumph is the talk of the gaming world, a story of underdogs rewriting the rules.
