When Bethesda unexpectedly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered during the launch week of the role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many anticipated a fierce competition. However, Kepler Interactive, the publisher of Clair Obscur, reported that not only did Oblivion's release not negatively impact Clair Obscur, but it actually enhanced the excitement around the RPG genre, benefiting both titles.
Matt Handrahan, senior portfolio manager at Kepler Interactive, shared insights with The Game Business about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's successful launch despite the simultaneous release. RPG enthusiasts faced 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 concurrent launches sparked a mix of excitement and frustration among fans, prompting a witty response from Kepler Interactive on social media.
In a playful X/Twitter post, Kepler shared an image of Clair Obscur characters entering an Oblivion Gate, captioned "omg its like barbenheimer," humorously 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 available on Game Pass from day one.
Handrahan, however, remained optimistic. "We always knew that Expedition 33 had a very specific identity," he explained. "The Western-style RPG and the Japanese-style RPG appeal to different audiences. Many who play Elder Scrolls games might not play 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. The proximity to Oblivion didn't harm us; it actually drew more attention to quality RPGs that week, boosting the genre's overall discussion."
AnswerSee ResultsClair Obscur has proven to be a major success for Kepler and its French developer, Sandfall Interactive, selling over 1 million copies in just three days and achieving impressive concurrent player numbers on Steam. The game's success 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 specific sales figures remain undisclosed. It, too, has seen significant concurrent player numbers on Steam.
Data from Ampere, cited by The Game Business, indicates that 35% of Clair Obscur players also played Oblivion Remastered, highlighting a notable overlap, particularly among Game Pass users, with less overlap on Steam and PlayStation 5.
For more on Oblivion Remastered, check out our report on a player who ventured beyond Cyrodiil to explore Valenwood, Skyrim, and even Hammerfell, the rumored setting for The Elder Scrolls VI.Our comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered includes an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, every PC Cheat Code, and much more.
For Clair Obscur, don't miss our tips on the essential things to know before diving into the game.
