When Bethesda unexpectedly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered during the launch week of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many assumed the latter would be overshadowed. However, Kepler Interactive's senior portfolio manager, Matt Handrahan, shared with The Game Business that not only did Oblivion not overshadow Clair Obscur, but the simultaneous release actually heightened interest in the RPG genre, benefitting both titles.
To provide some context, RPG enthusiasts were torn between diving into the vast world of Cyrodiil in Oblivion or embarking on an adventure to defeat the Paintress in Clair Obscur. The concurrent release of these games sparked a mix of excitement and frustration among fans. Kepler Interactive playfully acknowledged the situation with an X/Twitter post featuring a photoshopped image of Clair Obscur characters stepping into an Oblivion Gate, captioned "omg its like barbenheimer," humorously referencing the simultaneous release of the movies 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 showcase at Xbox last year, faced criticism for the timing of Oblivion's shadow-drop, especially since both games were available on Game Pass from day one.
Handrahan, however, remained unfazed. He explained, "We always knew that Expedition 33 had a very specific identity. From my time in the press, I understood that Western-style RPGs and Japanese-style RPGs appeal to different audiences. Many who play Elder Scrolls might not play Final Fantasy, and vice versa. By the time we launched, Clair Obscur had its own momentum, and we felt confident standing alongside Oblivion. Factors like our pricing and inclusion in Game Pass helped generate significant interest. The launch exceeded our expectations, and being released near Oblivion didn't hurt us; it actually spotlighted the RPG genre, drawing more attention to quality games."
AnswerSee ResultsClair Obscur has proven to be a massive success for Kepler and its French developer, Sandfall Interactive, selling over 1 million copies within three days and achieving high concurrent player counts on Steam. The game's success led to commendations from French President Macron for the development team.Bethesda reported that Oblivion Remastered attracted over 4 million players since its launch, though specific sales figures remain undisclosed. It also saw significant concurrent player numbers on Steam.
Data from Ampere, cited by The Game Business, revealed that 35% of Clair Obscur players also played Oblivion Remastered, indicating a notable overlap. This overlap was more pronounced on Game Pass, with lower percentages on Steam and PlayStation 5.
For more on *Oblivion Remastered*, check out our coverage of a player's remarkable journey beyond Cyrodiil, exploring regions like Valenwood, Skyrim, and Hammerfell, the speculated setting for *The Elder Scrolls VI*.We also offer a detailed guide to Oblivion Remastered, featuring an expansive Interactive Map, comprehensive Walkthroughs for the main questline and all guild quests, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, and a list of PC Cheat Codes, among other resources.
For Clair Obscur, be sure to check out our tips for essential knowledge before diving into the game.
