Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Crowned Game of the Year at the 2024 Awards
The French-developed role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been awarded Game of the Year at this year’s prestigious Game Awards, solidifying its place in gaming history as it triumphed in nine out of ten categories. The win is significant not only for the developers at Sandfall Interactive, but also for highlighting the growing impact of independent gaming studios in a competitive market.
Why It Matters
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s recognition at the Game Awards underscores a transformative moment in the gaming industry, as it becomes increasingly evident that independent games can rival major titles produced by large studios. This acknowledgment propels smaller developers into the spotlight, offering them a platform to share their unique narratives and innovations, while also resonating with a diverse audience of gamers.
Key Developments
- Awards Sweep: In its debut outing, Clair Obscur won awards for Best Narrative, Best Music, and Best Performance, among others.
- Director’s Acceptance Speech: Guillaume Broche expressed gratitude to his team and thanked online creators for their tutorials that aided in the game’s development.
- Competition: The game prevailed over several notable contenders like Death Stranding 2 and Donkey Kong Bananza.
- Star Recognition: Jennifer English, who played Maelle, won Best Performance and dedicated her award to neurodivergent individuals.
- Future Announcements: The event also revealed upcoming games, including titles from the Tomb Raider franchise and a new Star Wars RPG.
Full Report
Award Highlights
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was the most nominated game at the ceremony, earning twelve nominations in total. It claimed victories in categories ranging from Best Role-Playing Game to Best Independent Game. Its composer, Lorien Testard, also received accolades for his work on the score—marking a triumphant debut for the musician, who gained fame through his SoundCloud postings.
During the awards presentation, director Guillaume Broche, notably adorned in a red beret and striped shirt, reflected on a "weird timeline" for his studio and expressed heartfelt thanks to his team. He acknowledged the "unsung heroes" of the industry—those who create guidance content online, emphasizing their crucial role in supporting new developers.
Celebrated Performances
Clair Obscur’s Jennifer English stood out in a competitive Best Performance category, winning against co-stars Charlie Cox and Ben Starr. Her acceptance speech included a dedicated message to neurodivergent individuals, reflecting her personal experiences and commitment to representation.
Despite its overwhelming success, Clair Obscur did fall short in two categories: Battlefield 6 took home the award for Best Audio Design, while Wuthering Waves secured the fan-voted Player’s Voice award.
Context & Previous Events
The Game Awards have often been described as the "Oscars of gaming," blending award presentations with trailers of upcoming titles. This year’s event, hosted by Geoff Keighley, faced criticism previously regarding its handling of award speeches and industry issues. This year’s show attempted to address those critiques, though some developers called for better recognition of industry challenges like job losses. Notably, the Future Class initiative, designed to spotlight emerging talent, did not return this year, leading to concerns about tokenism and missed opportunities for young developers.
