"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Publisher Praises Oblivion Remastered for Boosting RPG Visibility"

When Bethesda unexpectedly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered during the same week as the launch of the role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many predicted a fierce competition. However, Kepler Interactive, the publisher of Clair Obscur, reported that not only did Oblivion's release not hinder Clair Obscur, but it actually enhanced the excitement surrounding the RPG genre, benefiting both titles.

Matt Handrahan, Kepler Interactive's senior portfolio manager, shared insights with The Game Business on how Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 thrived despite the simultaneous release. RPG enthusiasts were faced with a choice between diving into hundreds of hours in Oblivion's Cyrodiil or embarking on an adventure to defeat the Paintress in Clair Obscur. The overlapping launches sparked a mix of excitement and frustration among fans, prompting a witty response from Kepler Interactive on X/Twitter. They posted an edited image of Clair Obscur characters entering an Oblivion Gate, captioned "omg its like barbenheimer," playfully referencing the concurrent releases of the films Barbie and Oppenheimer in 2023.

omg its like barbenheimer pic.twitter.com/TN1AFzdggc

— Kepler Interactive (@Kepler_Interact) April 22, 2025

Microsoft, which owns Bethesda and had strongly supported Clair Obscur since its showcase at an Xbox event the previous year, faced criticism for shadow-dropping Oblivion alongside Clair Obscur, both of which were available on Game Pass from day one.

Despite these concerns, Handrahan remained optimistic. "We always knew that Expedition 33 had a very specific identity," he explained. "The Western-style RPG and the Japanese-style RPG appeal to different audiences. Many Elder Scrolls players wouldn't necessarily play Final Fantasy and vice versa. By our launch, we had built our own momentum and felt confident standing alongside Oblivion. Factors like our pricing and inclusion in Game Pass ensured significant interest. The proximity to Oblivion didn't harm us; instead, it drew more attention to quality RPGs that week, sparking broader discussions about the genre."

Did You Play The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, or Both? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion RemasteredClair Obscur: Expedition 33Both

AnswerSee ResultsClair Obscur has become a major success for Kepler and its French developer, Sandfall Interactive, selling over 1 million copies in just three days and achieving impressive concurrent player counts on Steam. The game's success was even acknowledged by French President Macron, who praised the development team.

Bethesda reported that Oblivion Remastered has attracted over 4 million players since its launch, though specific sales figures remain undisclosed. It has also seen significant concurrent player numbers on Steam.

According to data from Ampere cited by The Game Business, 35% of Clair Obscur players also played Oblivion Remastered, indicating a notable overlap, particularly among Game Pass users. This overlap decreases among Steam and PlayStation 5 players.

For more on Oblivion Remastered, we've covered a remarkable player achievement of escaping Cyrodiil to explore Valenwood, Skyrim, and Hammerfell, the speculated setting for The Elder Scrolls VI. Additionally, we offer a comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered, featuring an Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and all Guild Quests, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, every PC Cheat Code, and more.

For Clair Obscur enthusiasts, don't miss our essential tips before you dive into the game.