Macron Celebrates Clair Obscur’s Game of the Year Win on Instagram
▼ Summary
– French President Emmanuel Macron celebrated the video game *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* winning Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025 on his Instagram.
– The game, developed by Montpellier-based Sandfall Interactive, set a record by winning nine awards at the show, including best narrative and music.
– This public praise contrasts with Macron’s past comments linking video games to social unrest, which he later clarified were condemning violence, not the medium itself.
– The game’s director, Guillaume Broche, dedicated the award to his team and online creators who helped them learn game development.
– *Clair Obscur* was a major commercial and critical success, selling 5 million copies and receiving a 9/10 review score from IGN.
The remarkable success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at The Game Awards 2025 has drawn a public celebration from an unexpected figure: French President Emmanuel Macron. Taking to Instagram, the president lauded the role-playing game’s historic win as Game of the Year, marking the first time a French-developed title has secured the industry’s top honor. Developed by Montpellier-based studio Sandfall Interactive, the game dominated the ceremony with a record-breaking nine awards, including Best Narrative, Best Music, and Best Performance.
In his social media post, President Macron shared an image of the game’s protagonists with a caption written in French. “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has just been named Game of the Year in Los Angeles. A historic first for a French title!” he exclaimed. “Great pride for Montpellier and for France. Congratulations to the Sandfall Interactive team. For future generations and those that follow!” This endorsement follows his previous praise when the RPG sold one million copies within its first three days of release, at which time he called the team a “shining example of French audacity and creativity.”
The presidential congratulations were met with widespread enthusiasm, though some online commenters referenced Macron’s past statements. During civil unrest in France in 2023, he had suggested that video game violence and social media could negatively influence young people. He later clarified those remarks, emphasizing that he views the gaming sector as a significant economic and creative opportunity for the country. “I have always considered that video games are an opportunity for France, for our youth, and their future, for our jobs and our economy,” he stated, clarifying that his condemnation was aimed at real-world violence, not the medium itself.
On stage at The Game Awards, Sandfall Interactive’s director Guillaume Broche accepted the ultimate accolade to a standing ovation. He thanked his dedicated development team, many of whom attended the event in full costume, and paid tribute to the broader gaming community. Broche specifically highlighted the “unsung heroes” who create online tutorials, noting that such resources were invaluable when his team first started with no prior game development experience.
The game’s journey to this pinnacle was not without challenges. It launched in April 2025, going head-to-head with a major title like Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Both were available on Game Pass from day one, leading to concerns that the smaller studio’s project might be overshadowed. Defying expectations, Clair Obscur achieved instant popularity and had sold an impressive five million copies by October. Critical reception was equally stellar, with IGN’s review awarding a 9/10 score and praising its brilliant combat and gripping narrative.
In a surprise move during the acceptance speech, Sandfall Interactive announced the immediate release of new downloadable content alongside Patch 1.5.0. This update introduces a fresh area known as Verso’s Drafts, complete with a set of notoriously difficult new boss encounters for players to conquer. For those just beginning their journey, the studio has also published a comprehensive beginner’s guide to help new players navigate the game’s rich world and complex systems.
(Source: IGN)
