A bold milestone for French gaming, and it’s not just a win on the scorecard. French President Emmanuel Macron publicly saluted Sandfall Interactive for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, celebrating a record-setting nine victories at The Game Awards this week. He announced on Instagram that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been named Game of the Year in Los Angeles, calling it “a historic first for a French title.”
Macron’s message highlighted pride for Montpellier and for France, extending congratulations to the Sandfall Interactive team and wishing that future generations continue to draw inspiration from this achievement.
Some readers pointed out that Macron’s past comments about video games—especially during the 2023 riots, when he suggested games had contributed to violent behavior—were quickly clarified. He explained that his concern was about how certain game codes were used to trivialize violence on social networks, not about video games themselves, which he described as culture, entertainment, and a fertile ground for artistic experimentation. He framed gaming as a rich sensory experience—music, storytelling, emotion, travel through time, and exploration of immersive visual worlds that contribute to the evolving history of art.
Macron had previously praised Sandfall Interactive in May as well, calling Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a shining example of French audacity and creativity.
The Night’s overall triumph was substantial: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 collected the Game of the Year award plus eight additional prizes. It earned Best Narrative, Best Score and Music, Best Art Direction, Best Game Direction, Best RPG, Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie Game, and Jennifer English earned Best Performance for her portrayal of Maelle.
The Game Awards slate wasn’t entirely Clair Obscur’s exclusive triumph. Hades 2 took home Best Action Game, while Hollow Knight: Silksong claimed Best Action-Adventure.
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