Sandfall Interactive CEO Prioritizes Creativity Over Expansion in Game Development

Sandfall Interactive's CEO, Guillaume Broche, has voiced his commitment to maintaining a compact studio size, emphasizing the role of constraints in fostering creative output. This stance comes despite the overwhelming success of their latest title, 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,' which garnered critical acclaim and sold millions of copies. Broche believes that prioritizing hands-on game creation over extensive team management is key to the studio's continued happiness and innovative spirit. The company also faced scrutiny recently regarding its initial use of generative AI in 'Expedition 33,' a practice that led to the revocation of two industry awards.

Insightful Decisions by Sandfall Interactive's Leadership

In a candid discussion with Edge magazine, as reported by GamesIndustry, Guillaume Broche, the astute CEO of Sandfall Interactive, articulated his strategic vision for the company's future. Broche’s insights shed light on why the studio, which recently captivated the gaming world with its blockbuster RPG, 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,' intends to resist the conventional path of rapid expansion. This year, 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33' not only achieved remarkable sales, surpassing five million units, but also swept nine prestigious Game Awards, outperforming even highly anticipated titles like 'Baldur's Gate 3.' Broche passionately stated that he and his management team derive immense satisfaction from the direct involvement in game creation, preferring it over the complexities of overseeing an ever-growing workforce. He firmly believes that creative boundaries are beneficial, guiding the development process and helping to maintain the sincerity and unique identity that define their games.

The discussion also revisited a contentious issue that emerged shortly after 'Expedition 33's release in April: the discovery of what appeared to be AI-generated textures within the game. Initially, these were described by Sandfall as 'placeholder textures' and were promptly removed via a patch. However, co-founder François Meurisse later confirmed in June that some generative AI had indeed been utilized during the development, though this statement was subsequently updated to deny any AI-generated elements in the final game. This revelation prompted the Indie Game Awards to withdraw two accolades from 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,' citing a strict policy against generative AI in game development and a discrepancy in Sandfall's award submission, which had claimed no AI use.

Broche's reflections underscore a philosophy where adapting the game to the team's strengths, rather than the other way around, is paramount. He emphasized the importance of developing games with genuine passion, asserting that true care for the game naturally translates into a product that resonates with players. This approach, he suggests, allows for minor imperfections to be overlooked in favor of a strong, heartfelt identity.