(Image credit: Kepler Interactive)
Just a month after its surprise success, the new AA JRPG-inspired treasure, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, continues to thrive. According to Kepler Interactive portfolio director, Matthew Handrahan, its winning price could be a factor in this achievement.
Launching at $50, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 found a sweet spot between the aspirational $80 some AAA games aim for and the lower prices typical of indie market entries. Handrahan acknowledged in a recent GamesIndustry.biz interview that as AAA titles increasingly embrace steep price points, it opens the door for well-tuned games to succeed in the $40-50 bracket.
“I think as that AAA price goes up, it creates more of an opportunity for launching games – more sensibly scoped games – and pricing them at that $40–50 range,” Handrahan explained. “And I don’t think anyone who played Expedition 33 would feel that they didn’t get value for their money.” Despite initial criticisms regarding its cost, the game has trended positively.
Sandfall Interactive’s COO, François Meurisse, shared their journey: “When we announced the $50 pricing, we did encounter a backlash online, with concerns it might be an incomplete 12-hour game, suspiciously priced given its impressive trailers.” The team, however, “stuck with the price, emphasized its value, and clarified it wasn’t a AAA production.”
In the end, their strategy paid off. “It turned out to be a win-win, drawing more players in, boosting their satisfaction with their purchase, which could ultimately enhance sales. This kind of pricing might shift player perceptions over time,” Meurisse noted, reflecting on the landscape where $80 game prices are gradually becoming the standard.
Playing the new RPG yourself? Explore our best Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 tips here to enhance your experience. Plus, enjoy weekly digests and stories from your favorite communities and beyond.