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

When Bethesda shadow-dropped The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered during the launch week of the role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many anticipated a fierce competition. However, according to Kepler Interactive's senior portfolio manager, Matt Handrahan, Clair Obscur not only held its ground but actually benefited from Oblivion's release, as it heightened excitement for the RPG genre as a whole.

Handrahan shared insights with The Game Business on how Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 thrived against the odds. RPG enthusiasts faced a tough decision between diving into the expansive world of Cyrodiil in Oblivion or embarking on the unique journey to defeat the Paintress in Clair Obscur. The simultaneous launch sparked a mix of excitement and frustration among fans, prompting a witty response from Kepler Interactive itself.

On X/Twitter, Kepler posted an edited image of Clair Obscur characters entering an Oblivion Gate, humorously referencing the simultaneous release phenomenon dubbed "Barbenheimer," which occurred with 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 since its reveal at an Xbox Showcase, faced criticism for the shadow-drop of Oblivion on the same day both games became available on Game Pass.

Despite these concerns, Handrahan remained confident in Clair Obscur's distinct identity. He noted the different appeals of Western-style RPGs like Elder Scrolls and Japanese-style RPGs like Final Fantasy, suggesting that fans of one might not necessarily play the other. He emphasized Clair Obscur's momentum and strategic positioning, including its competitive pricing and inclusion in Game Pass, which bolstered interest and confidence in the game.

"The proximity to Oblivion didn't harm us at all," Handrahan stated. "In many ways, it drew attention to quality RPGs that week, and everyone was talking about the genre."

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

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

AnswerSee Results

Clair Obscur has proven to be a massive success for Kepler and its developer, Sandfall Interactive, selling over 1 million copies in just three days and achieving impressive concurrent player numbers on Steam. The game's success even earned praise from French President Macron.

Meanwhile, Bethesda reported that Oblivion Remastered attracted over 4 million players since its launch, with significant concurrent player numbers on Steam, though specific sales figures were not disclosed.

Data from Ampere, cited by The Game Business, revealed that 35% of Clair Obscur players also played Oblivion Remastered, indicating a notable overlap primarily attributed to the simultaneous Game Pass launch. This overlap decreased among Steam and PlayStation 5 players.

For more on *Oblivion Remastered*, we've covered a remarkable story of a player who ventured beyond Cyrodiil to explore Valenwood, Skyrim, and Hammerfell, the speculated setting for *The Elder Scrolls VI*. Our comprehensive guide to *Oblivion Remastered* includes an expansive [ttpp]Interactive Map[ttpp], complete Walkthroughs for the [ttpp]Main Questline[ttpp] and every [ttpp]Guild Quest[ttpp], tips on [ttpp]How to Build the Perfect Character[ttpp], [ttpp]Things to Do First[ttpp], and all [ttpp]PC Cheat Codes[ttpp], among other resources.

For those interested in Clair Obscur, make sure to check out our tips on the essential things to know before diving into the game.