"Clair Obscur Publisher: Oblivion Remaster Boosted RPG Spotlight"

When Bethesda unexpectedly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered at the same time as the launch of the role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many expected Oblivion to overshadow its competitor. However, according to Kepler Interactive, the publisher of Clair Obscur, not only did Oblivion's release not negatively impact Clair Obscur, but it actually enhanced the excitement around the RPG genre, benefiting Clair Obscur's launch.

Kepler Interactive's senior portfolio manager, Matt Handrahan, shared insights with The Game Business on how Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 succeeded against the odds. RPG enthusiasts faced a challenging decision: dive into the vast world of Cyrodiil in Oblivion or embark on an adventure to defeat the Paintress in Clair Obscur. The simultaneous release of these games sparked a mix of excitement and frustration among fans, prompting a witty remark from Kepler Interactive.

On social media, Kepler posted an edited image of Clair Obscur characters entering an Oblivion Gate, captioned with "omg its like barbenheimer," humorously referencing the concurrent release of the films Barbie and Oppenheimer in 2023.

omg its like barbenheimer pic.twitter.com/TN1AFzdggc

— Kepler Interactive (@Kepler_Interact) April 22, 2025

Microsoft, which owns Bethesda and had supported Clair Obscur since its reveal at an Xbox Showcase, faced criticism for shadow-dropping Oblivion alongside Clair Obscur, both of which were available on Game Pass from day one.

Handrahan, however, remained optimistic. "We always knew that Expedition 33 had a very specific identity," he explained. "In the press, I saw Western-style RPGs and Japanese-style RPGs appealing to different audiences. Many who play Elder Scrolls wouldn't necessarily play Final Fantasy, and vice versa.

"By the time we launched, we had our own momentum and felt confident standing beside Oblivion. Factors like our pricing and inclusion in Game Pass ensured strong interest. We were confident, and the launch exceeded our expectations. The proximity to Oblivion didn't harm us; it actually heightened interest in quality RPGs that week, sparking conversations 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 ResultsClair Obscur has proven to be a major success for Kepler Interactive and its French developer, Sandfall Interactive, selling over 1 million copies within three days and achieving high concurrent player numbers on Steam. Its success was so notable that French President Macron publicly praised the development team.

Bethesda reported that Oblivion Remastered attracted over 4 million players since its launch, though specific sales figures were not disclosed. It also 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 substantial overlap. This overlap was largely attributed to both games being available on Game Pass, with the percentage decreasing among Steam and PlayStation 5 users.

For more on Oblivion Remastered, we've covered a remarkable story of a player who managed to explore beyond Cyrodiil into Valenwood, Skyrim, and even Hammerfell, the speculated setting for The Elder Scrolls VI.

Our comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered includes an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and all Guild Quests, How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, every PC Cheat Code, and more.

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