– Sandfall Interactive, the French studio behind the critically acclaimed role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and its 25 team members, have been awarded France’s highest cultural honor, the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres). The recognition, announced , acknowledges the studio’s significant contribution to French art and culture, and places them in company with previous recipients including Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Mario, and Eiji Aonuma, producer of the Zelda series.
The honor comes less than a year after the release of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in . The game quickly garnered widespread acclaim, winning a record nine awards at last year’s Game Awards, out of a record 13 nominations, and was named IGN’s Game of the Year for 2025. Its narrative and gameplay achievements have already established it as a landmark title in the RPG genre, prompting expectations of imitators in the years to come.
French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati presented the award, describing it as an “exceptional decoration for an exceptional success.” Dati emphasized the game’s importance in establishing a “major moment in the history of French video games,” and highlighted its broad appeal, noting that it had “taken on the scale of a true tidal wave, bringing a shine to French video games as rarely seen before.”
The Order of Arts and Letters is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated significant achievement in the arts and literature. While comparable to a British knighthood in prestige, holders are not permitted to use the title “Sir.” Approximately 200 individuals worldwide receive the honor each year, making the recognition particularly noteworthy.
Sandfall Interactive was founded by Guillaume Broche, Tom Guillermin, and François Meurisse. The award recognizes not only the founders but the entire 28-person development team. The studio announced the honor via LinkedIn, sharing photos of the team receiving their medals from the French Ministry of Culture.
The recognition is particularly significant given the relatively rare acknowledgement of the video game industry by the French Ministry of Culture. The awarding of the Order of Arts and Letters to an entire studio is described as a completely unique event. This signals a growing recognition of video games as a legitimate and important art form within France.
The success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has broader implications for the French gaming industry. The game’s international acclaim and the subsequent cultural honor are likely to attract investment and talent to the sector, potentially fostering further innovation and growth. The French government’s endorsement of the game also serves as a powerful statement about the economic and cultural value of video game development.
While the financial details of Sandfall Interactive remain private, the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 undoubtedly represents a significant commercial achievement. The game’s widespread popularity translates into substantial revenue through game sales, in-app purchases (if applicable), and licensing opportunities. The award itself, while not directly financially quantifiable, is expected to enhance the studio’s brand reputation and attract future investment.
The game’s success also stands in contrast to recent discussions surrounding the industry’s awards landscape. Notably, the game was reportedly “snubbed” at the Grammys, according to reports, with composer Austin Wintory dedicating his win to Sandfall Interactive, acknowledging the “once-in-a-generation-level rarity” of their achievement. This highlights the ongoing debate about the recognition of video game music and sound design within traditional music awards.
Looking ahead, Sandfall Interactive’s next steps remain undisclosed. However, the studio’s demonstrated ability to deliver a critically acclaimed and commercially successful title positions it as a key player in the evolving RPG market. The French government’s endorsement further solidifies its standing and suggests a continued commitment to supporting the growth of the French video game industry.
