When Bethesda unexpectedly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered at the same time as the launch of the role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many assumed that Oblivion would overshadow its competitor. 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 games.
Matt Handrahan, senior portfolio manager at Kepler Interactive, shared insights with The Game Business about the successful launch of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 despite the simultaneous release.
To provide some context, RPG enthusiasts were faced with the dilemma of choosing between diving into the expansive world of Cyrodiil in Oblivion or embarking on a thrilling expedition to confront the Paintress in Clair Obscur. The concurrent launches sparked a mix of excitement and frustration among fans, and even prompted a playful response from Kepler Interactive.
On X/Twitter, Kepler posted an edited image depicting characters from Clair Obscur entering an Oblivion Gate, accompanied by the caption "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, the owner of Bethesda and a major backer of Clair Obscur following its reveal at an Xbox Showcase, faced criticism for shadow-dropping Oblivion alongside Clair Obscur, especially since both games were available on Game Pass from day one.
Handrahan, however, was unfazed by the situation. “We always knew that Expedition 33 had a very specific identity,” he explained. “When I was in the press, I saw the Western-style RPG and the Japanese-style RPG as having quite different appeals and audiences. I knew plenty of people that would play an Elder Scrolls game that wouldn't necessarily play Final Fantasy and vice versa.
“Additionally, by the time we launched, we had our own momentum and were confident in standing beside Oblivion. Factors like our pricing strategy and inclusion in Game Pass ensured we would generate significant interest. We were confident in our approach, and the launch exceeded our expectations. In fact, the proximity to Oblivion didn't harm us at all; rather, it drew more attention to quality RPGs that week, sparking discussions and interest in the genre.”
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 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 specific sales figures have not been disclosed. It, too, has seen significant 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 the percentage decreasing among Steam and PlayStation 5 players.
For more on Oblivion Remastered, check out our report on a player who managed to escape Cyrodiil to explore Valenwood, Skyrim, and even Hammerfell, the rumored setting for The Elder Scrolls VI.We also offer a comprehensive guide to everything in Oblivion Remastered, including 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 those interested in Clair Obscur, be sure to check out our tips on the important things to know before diving into the game.
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