When Bethesda unexpectedly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered alongside the debut of role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many anticipated a clear winner. However, Kepler Interactive, the publisher of Clair Obscur, revealed that Oblivion’s launch not only avoided overshadowing their game but actually amplified interest in the RPG genre, benefiting Clair Obscur.

Matt Handrahan, senior portfolio manager at Kepler Interactive, shared insights with The Game Business about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s remarkable launch success despite the competition.

Some context: RPG enthusiasts faced a tough decision between diving into Oblivion’s Cyrodiil for hundreds of hours or joining the quest to defeat the Paintress in Clair Obscur. The simultaneous release of both titles in the same week sparked excitement and frustration among fans, prompting a playful response from Kepler Interactive.

In an X/Twitter post, Kepler shared a humorous image of Clair Obscur characters stepping through an Oblivion Gate, captioned “omg its like barbenheimer,” referencing the 2023 concurrent theatrical release of Barbie and Oppenheimer.

omg its like barbenheimer pic.twitter.com/TN1AFzdggc

— Kepler Interactive (@Kepler_Interact) April 22, 2025

Microsoft, which owns Bethesda (the developer of Oblivion) and had strongly supported Clair Obscur since its Xbox Showcase reveal last year, faced criticism for releasing Oblivion simultaneously with Clair Obscur, as both were available on Game Pass from day one.

Handrahan, however, dismissed concerns. “We were confident in Expedition 33’s unique appeal,” he said. “Having worked in the press, I saw Western and Japanese RPGs as distinct, each attracting different players. Many Elder Scrolls fans might not play Final Fantasy, and vice versa.

“By launch, we had built strong momentum and felt ready to compete. Factors like our price point and Game Pass inclusion fueled interest. The outcome exceeded our expectations, and Oblivion’s proximity didn’t hurt us. In fact, it spotlighted high-quality RPGs that week, keeping the genre at the forefront of discussion.”

Did You Play The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, or Both?

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion RemasteredClair Obscur: Expedition 33Both

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Clair Obscur has emerged as a major success for Kepler and its French developer, Sandfall Interactive, selling over 1 million copies in three days and achieving strong concurrent player counts on Steam. The game’s success even earned praise from French President Macron for the development team.

Bethesda reported that Oblivion Remastered attracted over 4 million players since its launch, though sales figures remain undisclosed. It also recorded impressive concurrent player numbers on Steam.

Data from Ampere, cited by The Game Business, indicates that 35% of Clair Obscur players also played Oblivion Remastered, highlighting significant crossover, largely due to both titles’ availability on Game Pass. This overlap was less pronounced among Steam and PlayStation 5 players.

Explore more on Oblivion Remastered, including a report on a player who ventured beyond Cyrodiil to discover Valenwood, Skyrim, and Hammerfell, the rumored setting of The Elder Scrolls VI.

Check out our detailed guide to Oblivion Remastered, featuring an Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, every PC Cheat Code, and more.

For Clair Obscur, don’t miss our essential tips for getting started in the game.