"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Publisher Praises Oblivion Remastered for Boosting RPG Spotlight"

When Bethesda unexpectedly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered during the launch week of the role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many believed that Oblivion would overshadow its competitor. However, Kepler Interactive, the publisher of Clair Obscur, revealed that not only did Oblivion not hinder their game, but it actually enhanced the excitement around the RPG genre, benefiting Clair Obscur.

Matt Handrahan, senior portfolio manager at Kepler Interactive, shared insights with The Game Business on how Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 thrived against the odds. RPG enthusiasts were faced with 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 simultaneous launch of these two games sparked a mix of excitement and frustration among fans, prompting a playful response from Kepler Interactive on social media.

On X/Twitter, Kepler posted an edited image of Clair Obscur characters stepping through an Oblivion Gate, humorously referencing the concurrent release of Barbie and Oppenheimer in 2023 with the caption "omg its like barbenheimer."

omg its like barbenheimer pic.twitter.com/TN1AFzdggc

— Kepler Interactive (@Kepler_Interact) April 22, 2025

Microsoft, which owns Bethesda and had strongly supported Clair Obscur since its announcement at an Xbox Showcase the previous year, faced criticism for the surprise launch of Oblivion, especially since both titles were available on Game Pass from day one.

Despite these concerns, Handrahan 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 people who enjoy Elder Scrolls games might not be interested in Final Fantasy, and vice versa.

"By the time we launched, we had built our own momentum and felt confident standing alongside Oblivion. Factors like our pricing strategy and inclusion in Game Pass ensured significant interest in our game. We were confident in our approach, and the launch went as smoothly as we could have hoped. In fact, the proximity to Oblivion didn't harm us at all; it actually drew more attention to quality RPGs that week, sparking conversations and excitement about the genre."

Bethesda reported that Oblivion Remastered attracted over 4 million players since its launch, though specific sales figures were not disclosed. It, too, 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, largely attributed to both games being available on Game Pass. The overlap was less pronounced among Steam and PlayStation 5 users.

Our comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered includes an expansive Interactive Map, detailed Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, a list of Things to Do First, and all PC Cheat Codes.

For those interested in Clair Obscur, don't miss our tips on the essential things to know before diving into the game.