Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Becomes the Biggest Third-Party Launch on Xbox Game Pass in 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by French studio Sandfall Interactive, has become the most successful third-party launch on Xbox Game Pass in 2025, even though it released just two days after The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered.

Microsoft reported that the game attracted the highest number of unique players during its first 30 days among all new third-party releases on the service. On top of its Game Pass success, Clair Obscur has also sold well — reaching around 5 million copies in just five months.

Sandfall Interactive’s creative director, Guillaume Broche, highlighted that Game Pass made it possible for many players to try the turn-based RPG who might not have picked it up otherwise. The service lowered the barrier to entry, attracting new fans and encouraging them to explore the world of Lumière and the early parts of the game.

In 2025, Clair Obscur faced competition on Game Pass from titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong, Atomfall, Blue Prince, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Ball X Pit, and PowerWash Simulator 2. Despite the competition, it still came out on top in terms of unique players at launch.

The game has also earned a record number of nominations at The Game Awards 2025.