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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - 2025's Top Third-Party GP Launch

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - 2025's Top Third-Party GP Launch
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 gameplay screenshot showcasing its unique art style

In a stunning display of player engagement, Sandfall Interactive's debut title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has been officially crowned the biggest new third-party launch on Xbox Game Pass for 2025. This monumental achievement, confirmed by Microsoft today, underscores the turn-based RPG's immediate impact, especially remarkable given its launch merely two days after the much-anticipated The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, which also debuted on the service. The success isn't just about subscriptions; the critically acclaimed title has also moved an impressive 5 million units in five months, proving that its Game Pass availability has only amplified its reach, not cannibalized sales.

Unprecedented Game Pass Performance

Microsoft's announcement followed a thorough analysis of all day-one Xbox Game Pass launches throughout 2025, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 topping the charts based on the number of unique users engaging with the title during its initial 30 days of availability. This metric positions the game by French studio Sandfall Interactive as the standout performer in a crowded field of new releases, setting a new benchmark for third-party titles on the platform.

Sandfall Interactive Credits Xbox Partnership

Guillaume Broche, Creative Director at Sandfall Interactive, expressed gratitude for the robust support from Xbox, stating, "From being there to announce our game back in Summer 2024, to coming to the studio for the Developer_Direct video in January, Xbox helped us get the word out there and reach a lot of players." Broche emphasized how Game Pass significantly lowered the barrier to entry, particularly for a turn-based RPG, allowing "a lot of people try our game when maybe they might not have before." He noted that this accessibility encouraged "curious players" to "try it and see how it feels," ultimately leading many to "realize there’s a lot to enjoy here, even if they weren’t expecting it at first."

A Field of Formidable Competitors

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's victory is even more impressive when considering the caliber of other third-party titles that launched day-one on Xbox Game Pass in 2025. It surpassed a host of highly anticipated releases, including:

  • Hollow Knight: Silksong
  • Atomfall
  • Blue Prince
  • Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
  • Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
  • Ball X Pit
  • PowerWash Simulator 2

It’s important to note that this ranking specifically excludes Microsoft's own first-party titles or games from Bethesda and Activision, such as Avowed, South by Midnight, The Outer Worlds 2, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, which also arrived on the service this year.

Sales Prowess and Awards Recognition

The success story of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 extends beyond its Game Pass triumph. The game has also achieved significant commercial success, selling an astounding 5 million copies within its first five months. This robust sales performance demonstrates that its inclusion on Game Pass served as a powerful marketing tool, converting trial players into full-fledged purchasers rather than detracting from sales. Furthermore, the accolades continue to pile up, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 earning a record-breaking number of nominations at The Game Awards, hinting at a potentially dominant awards season. For those yet to experience this phenomenon, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is still available on Xbox Game Pass.