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

When Bethesda shadow-dropped The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered during the launch of the role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many anticipated a fierce competition. However, according to Kepler Interactive, the publisher of Clair Obscur, not only did Oblivion fail to overshadow Clair Obscur, but the latter actually thrived from the increased attention to the RPG genre sparked by Oblivion’s release.

Matt Handrahan, senior portfolio manager at Kepler Interactive, shared insights with The Game Business about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s unexpected success. RPG enthusiasts were faced with the choice between immersing themselves in Oblivion’s vast world of Cyrodiil or embarking on a thrilling journey to confront the Paintress in Clair Obscur. The simultaneous release of these titles elicited a mix of excitement and frustration among fans, prompting a witty response from Kepler Interactive.

On X (formerly Twitter), Kepler posted a cleverly edited image of Clair Obscur characters stepping into an Oblivion Gate, captioned "omg its like barbenheimer," playfully referencing the simultaneous release of the films Barbie and Oppenheimer in 2023.

omg its like barbenheimer pic.twitter.com/TN1AFzdggc

— Kepler Interactive (@Kepler_Interact) April 22, 2025

Microsoft, the owner of Bethesda and a major supporter of Clair Obscur since its reveal at an Xbox Showcase, faced criticism for the shadow-drop of Oblivion, especially since both games were launched on Game Pass on the same day.

However, Handrahan reassured that Clair Obscur was not threatened by Oblivion. “We always knew that Expedition 33 had a very specific identity,” he stated. He highlighted the distinct appeal of Western and Japanese-style RPGs, noting that fans of Elder Scrolls may not necessarily be drawn to Final Fantasy and vice versa.

Handrahan also mentioned that Clair Obscur had built its own momentum by the time of its release, bolstered by factors such as its competitive pricing and its inclusion in Game Pass. He expressed confidence in the game's ability to stand alongside Oblivion, suggesting that the proximity to Oblivion actually amplified interest in quality RPGs that week, benefiting both titles.

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 Results

Clair Obscur has emerged as a major success for Kepler Interactive and its French developer, Sandfall Interactive, achieving over 1 million sales within just three days and attracting significant concurrent player numbers on Steam. The game's success even earned praise from French President Macron.

Meanwhile, Bethesda reported that Oblivion Remastered attracted over 4 million players since its launch, though specific sales figures remain undisclosed. It also boasted impressive concurrent player counts on Steam.

According to The Game Business, data from Ampere revealed that 35% of Clair Obscur players also played Oblivion Remastered, indicating a substantial overlap, primarily due to both games being available on Game Pass. The overlap was less pronounced among Steam and PlayStation 5 users.

We have extensive coverage of *Oblivion Remastered*, including a fascinating story about a player who ventured beyond Cyrodiil to explore Valenwood, Skyrim, and even Hammerfell, the speculated setting for *The Elder Scrolls VI*.

For a comprehensive experience with Oblivion Remastered, we offer an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and all Guild Quests, guides on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, and every PC Cheat Code, among other resources.

For those diving into Clair Obscur, be sure to check out our tips for the important things to know before embarking on your adventure.