Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s Pricing Strategy Contributed to Success, Says Publisher

The award-winning role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 owes part of its success to a deliberate pricing strategy, according to Alexis Garavaryan, CEO of publisher Kepler Interactive. Garavaryan explained that the game was launched at $50, a price point lower than many traditional AAA titles, to offer players a greater sense of value.

A Novel Approach to Pricing

In an interview with the BBC, Garavaryan stated that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 possesses many of the hallmarks of a large-scale production, including refined gameplay, high-quality graphics, voice acting, and soundtrack. However, he emphasized that the game’s strength lies in its narrative and unique mechanics, blending classic turn-based combat with more modern RPG elements.

Garavaryan noted a shift in player preferences, with less emphasis placed on purely graphical fidelity. “I think today there is less emphasis on extreme visual quality. What really matters is how good the experience is – exceptional, interesting and original,” he said.

Respect for Player Investment

The decision to price the game lower was a conscious effort to demonstrate respect for players’ money and time. “We decided to offer the game at a lower cost than our competitors, so that those who purchase it experience that we are respecting your money and time,” Garavaryan explained. He contrasted this approach with the trend of increasing prices among larger companies.

Kepler Interactive’s strategy positions it against the prevailing industry trend, helping to differentiate its catalog in a market where costs for games and gaming platforms are rising. “We live in an industry where gamers have access to great video games almost every week. If you want to deserve their attention and their money, you have to propose something truly special,” Garavaryan added.

About Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive for Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The game was released on April 24, 2025. It has garnered significant acclaim, winning a record-breaking 436 Game of the Year awards, surpassing Elden Ring’s previous record of 429.