Ex-PlayStation Boss Advised Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Developers to Avoid 'Turn-Based' Label

Former PlayStation Interactive president Shuhei Yoshida previously advised the developers of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to avoid labeling the game as a turn-based RPG. Speaking at the Busan Indie Connect Festival 2026, as reported by Japanese site 4Gamer and translated by Automaton, Yoshida recalled telling publisher Kepler Interactive and developer Sandfall Interactive that the turn-based genre was considered unfashionable during the game's development.

Yoshida played an early build of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 two years prior to its release. While he was deeply impressed by the game—which features a combination of turn-based mechanics and real-time action inputs reminiscent of the 1999 PlayStation 1 title The Legend of Dragoon—he remained skeptical due to prevailing industry trends. At the time, action-heavy hits like Lies of P suggested players preferred brutal, action-based combat, and Baldur's Gate 3 had only just begun to refresh public interest in turn-based systems.

Warning that players might overlook the title if it was strictly categorized as a turn-based RPG, Yoshida suggested describing it in broader terms. Consequently, Sandfall Interactive began promoting the game using phrases like "reactive turn-based battles."

Ultimately, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launched in 2025 to critical acclaim, high praise, and a historic number of Game of the Year awards. Reflecting on the game's massive success, Yoshida noted that publishers are now receiving a surge of new pitches for turn-based RPGs, effectively allowing the title to set a trend rather than chase one.