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

When Bethesda unexpectedly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered alongside the launch of the role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many predicted a clear winner. However, Kepler Interactive, the publisher of Clair Obscur, reported not only that Oblivion did not negatively impact their game, but that Clair Obscur actually benefited from the increased excitement around the RPG genre sparked by Oblivion's release.

Kepler Interactive's senior portfolio manager, Matt Handrahan, shared insights on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's successful launch with The Game Business. RPG enthusiasts were faced with a tough decision: dive into the expansive world of Cyrodiil in Oblivion or embark on a thrilling expedition to confront the Paintress in Clair Obscur. The simultaneous release of these games led to a mix of excitement and frustration among fans, prompting a witty response from Kepler Interactive.

In a playful X/Twitter post, Kepler shared an edited image of Clair Obscur characters entering an Oblivion Gate, captioned "omg its like barbenheimer," humorously referencing the concurrent 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, which owns Bethesda and had heavily supported Clair Obscur since its reveal at an Xbox Showcase, faced criticism for the shadow-drop of Oblivion, especially since both games were available on Game Pass from day one.

However, Handrahan reassured that there was no cause for concern. "We always knew that Expedition 33 had a very specific identity," he stated. "I've observed that Western-style RPGs and Japanese-style RPGs appeal to different audiences. Many who enjoy an Elder Scrolls game might not be drawn to Final Fantasy, and vice versa.

"By the time we launched, we had our own momentum and were confident in standing alongside Oblivion. Factors like our pricing and inclusion in Game Pass ensured strong interest in our game. It performed exceptionally well, and being close to Oblivion's release didn't hurt us at all. In fact, it heightened the focus on quality RPGs that week, engaging the community in 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 proven to be a significant success for Kepler and its French developer, Sandfall Interactive, selling over 1 million copies within just three days and achieving impressive concurrent player numbers on Steam. Its success has even earned praise from French President Macron for the development team.

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

The Game Business cited data from Ampere indicating that 35% of Clair Obscur players also played Oblivion Remastered, highlighting a notable overlap. This overlap is largely attributed to both games being available on Game Pass, with a lower overlap percentage observed among Steam and PlayStation 5 players.

For more on Oblivion Remastered, check out our report on a player who managed to explore beyond Cyrodiil into Valenwood, Skyrim, and even Hammerfell, the speculated setting for The Elder Scrolls VI.

Our comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered includes an extensive Interactive Map, detailed Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and all Guild Quests, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, a list of PC Cheat Codes, and more.

For Clair Obscur, be sure to review our essential tips before starting your journey.