Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is under fire! 😱 Developers Sandfall Interactive are facing accusations of racism for allegedly having “no people of color” on their team. Is this a legit controversy or cancel culture gone wild?
Dig deeper and uncover the real story yourself!
The gaming industry is no stranger to controversy, but the latest storm surrounding Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, an upcoming RPG from French indie studio Sandfall Interactive, has taken an unexpected turn. Slated for release in summer 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, the game has captivated fans with its haunting visuals, turn-based combat, and painterly art style inspired by Belle Époque France. However, recent accusations of racism against Sandfall, sparked by claims on X that the studio employs “no people of color” and engages in discriminatory hiring, have cast a shadow over its promising debut. Sandfall has publicly denied these allegations, urging fans not to “weaponize” their game to spread hate. As the debate rages, what’s the truth behind the controversy, and what does it mean for Clair Obscur’s future? Let’s explore the game, the accusations, and the broader context of diversity in gaming.
The Allure of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has emerged as one of 2025’s most anticipated titles, blending soulslike elements, turn-based RPG mechanics, and a surreal narrative. Set in a fantastical world where the Monolith awakens once every 33 years, the game follows Expedition 33, a group of adventurers tasked with destroying the Sleeper, a destructive force tied to the Monolith’s cycle. The protagonist, Guideaux, leads a diverse cast of characters through a story inspired by French and Japanese RPG traditions, with visuals evoking Final Fantasy and Persona alongside Belle Époque paintings. The game’s real-time mechanics, combined with tactical combat and puzzle-solving, have drawn comparisons to Lost Odyssey and Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden.
Developed by Sandfall Interactive, a small studio of roughly 20 developers, Clair Obscur is a passion project born from a love of classic RPGs. The team, composed largely of junior developers, has garnered praise for its ambitious scope, with trailers showcased at Xbox Games Showcase and Summer Game Fest 2024 earning millions of views. The game’s Steam page ranks it among the top-wishlisted titles, and its planned appearance at Japan Expo 2025 for a panel and autograph session underscores its growing hype. Priced at a standard $59.99, with a deluxe edition offering a digital artbook and soundtrack, Clair Obscur is poised to compete with AAA titles despite its indie roots.
The Racism Accusations: What Sparked the Fire?
The controversy erupted on June 5, 2025, when posts on X accused Sandfall Interactive of racism, alleging the studio’s team consists entirely of white developers and that it refused to hire people of color. The accusations, first levied by an anonymous user, gained traction after claims surfaced that a non-white applicant was turned away from submitting a resume in person, only for a white junior developer to be hired shortly after. The timing coincided with Sandfall’s Japan Expo announcement, prompting speculation that the allegations were a targeted response to the studio’s rising profile. Posts on X, including one from @Pirat_Nation, described the claims as “French leftists trying to cancel devs of Clair Obscur with accusations of racism,” while others, like @SaltyEmoil, expressed disappointment, stating they would skip the game due to the alleged hiring practices.
Sandfall responded on June 6, 2025, via a social media statement, denying the allegations and asking fans not to “weaponize” Clair Obscur to spread hate. The studio clarified that its hiring practices are merit-based and that the accusations stemmed from unverified claims by a single individual. They emphasized their small size, noting that their team of junior developers is focused on delivering a quality game, not engaging in discriminatory practices. The statement, reported by OpenCritic, aimed to quell the controversy but instead fueled further debate, with some X users, like @Vara_Dark, accusing a “cancel mob” of targeting Sandfall for not hiring “diverse devs.”
The allegations remain unsubstantiated, relying on anonymous messages and a single unverified incident. No concrete evidence, such as documented hiring data or firsthand accounts, has emerged to support the claims. The lack of named sources and the anonymous nature of the original accuser raise questions about the accusations’ credibility, suggesting they may be speculative or exaggerated. However, the rapid spread of the narrative on X highlights the power of social media to amplify unverified claims, particularly when they tap into broader cultural debates about diversity.
The “No People of Color” Claim: Context and Critique
The accusation that Sandfall employs “no people of color” is complicated by the studio’s context. Based in France, Sandfall operates in a country where racial demographics differ from those of the United States, where much of the gaming diversity discourse originates. France’s population is predominantly white, with ethnic minorities—primarily of North African, Sub-Saharan African, and Asian descent—making up roughly 10-15% of the population. The gaming industry in France, while growing, is relatively small, and indie studios like Sandfall often rely on local talent pools. A team of 20 developers, all junior, may reflect regional demographics rather than intentional exclusion.
Moreover, France’s legal framework complicates discussions of race. The country bans collecting racial or ethnic data in most contexts, viewing such categorizations as divisive. This policy, rooted in republican ideals of universalism, makes it difficult to verify claims about a studio’s diversity or lack thereof. Without public hiring records or self-reported data, accusations like those against Sandfall rely on assumptions or anecdotal observations, which can distort reality. The claim that the studio hired a white junior after rejecting a non-white applicant hinges on an unverified story, lacking details about the applicant’s qualifications or the hiring process.
Critics on X, like @AntifaCostanza, have pointed out the irony of diversity critiques in gaming, noting that Clair Obscur’s all-white team could have been praised for representation in a different context, given its French cultural roots. Others, like @Grummz, argue the accusations follow a familiar pattern, where studios are pressured to apologize and hire “diversity directors” to appease critics. These perspectives frame the controversy as an overreach by activists, contrasting with those who see the allegations as a call for accountability in an industry where only 2% of developers globally identify as Black and representation remains a challenge.
Diversity in Gaming: A Broader Perspective
The Clair Obscur controversy reflects ongoing tensions in gaming over diversity and representation. The industry has made strides in recent years, with initiatives like Xbox’s Project Amplify and games like Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales spotlighting diverse talent and stories. However, progress is uneven. A 2023 IGDA survey found that 75% of game developers are white, with women and people of color underrepresented in leadership roles. Indie studios, constrained by budgets and local talent, often face greater challenges in diversifying their teams compared to AAA giants like EA or Ubisoft.
Clair Obscur’s narrative and art style, while not explicitly addressing race, draw on universal themes of sacrifice and survival, which could resonate with diverse audiences. Its characters, inspired by French and Japanese aesthetics, reflect the developers’ cultural influences, but the lack of visible diversity in promotional materials has fueled criticism. This mirrors debates around games like Black Myth: Wukong, which faced scrutiny for its all-male cast despite its Chinese cultural focus. The Clair Obscur accusations highlight a broader question: should small studios be held to the same diversity standards as global corporations, and how should cultural context shape those expectations?
The “racism” label also risks oversimplifying complex issues. Hiring in small studios is often informal, driven by networks and proximity, which can inadvertently exclude marginalized groups without malicious intent. Sandfall’s statement emphasizes merit-based hiring, but critics argue that systemic barriers in education and industry access can skew “merit” toward white candidates. Without evidence of overt discrimination, the accusations against Sandfall appear speculative, but they tap into real frustrations about representation in gaming.
The Impact on Clair Obscur and Sandfall
For Sandfall, the controversy poses both risks and opportunities. The accusations could alienate some players, as seen in posts from users like @SaltyEmoil, who vowed to skip the game. However, the backlash against the “cancel mob,” amplified by figures like @SmashJT, has rallied support for the studio, with fans on Steam and Reddit praising its defiance of pressure. The game’s strong wishlisting on Steam suggests its core audience remains enthusiastic, drawn by its gameplay and art rather than social media drama.
The controversy also underscores the challenges indie studios face in navigating global audiences. Sandfall’s small size and focus on a niche RPG make it vulnerable to amplified criticism, unlike larger studios with PR teams to manage crises. The studio’s decision to address the accusations directly, rather than issue a generic apology, aligns with a growing trend of developers pushing back against unverified claims, as seen with Hogwarts Legacy’s response to boycott calls. By framing Clair Obscur as a “labor of love” not to be weaponized, Sandfall aims to refocus attention on the game itself.
Conclusion: A Game Beyond the Controversy
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a testament to the power of indie gaming, blending stunning visuals, intricate combat, and a captivating story. The accusations of racism against Sandfall Interactive, while serious, lack substantiated evidence and appear driven by social media speculation rather than concrete proof. The studio’s response—denying the claims and urging fans to avoid hate—reflects a commitment to its vision, but the controversy highlights the gaming industry’s ongoing struggle with diversity and representation.
As Clair Obscur approaches its summer 2025 release, its success will depend on its ability to deliver a compelling experience, not the noise on X. For fans, the game offers a chance to explore a beautifully crafted world, free from the baggage of cultural debates. The real story lies in the Monolith’s secrets, not the shadows of unverified accusations. Gamers eager to form their own opinions should keep Clair Obscur on their radar—and let the game speak for itself.
