The President of France celebrates the GOTY of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Emmanuel Macron highlights the success of the French RPG after sweeping The Game Awards 2025.

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The triumph of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at The Game Awards 2025 continues to generate reactions at all levels, and one of the most striking has come directly from the presidency of France. Emmanuel Macron has publicly congratulated Sandfall Interactive for the recognition as Game of the Year, highlighting the historical importance of the award for the country’s cultural industry.

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The French president shared a message on social media after the gala held in Los Angeles, where the RPG achieved an absolute record with nine awards, something never seen before in the event.

Macron describes the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as a “historic milestone”

“Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has just been named Game of the Year in Los Angeles. A historic achievement for a French title!” Macron said, adding that it is a source of pride for both Montpellier and all of France. The president also congratulated the Sandfall Interactive team, highlighting their work as a reference for future generations.

This is not the first time Macron has spoken about the game. In May, he had already praised the project as an example of French audacity and creativity, reinforcing that message after the game’s huge international impact at the awards.

The presidential recognition comes after a memorable night for the title, which, in addition to GOTY, won awards for Best Narrative, Art Direction, Soundtrack, Direction, Best RPG, Best Indie, Best Indie Debut, and Best Performance, the latter for Jennifer English for her role as Maelle. A dominance so clear that no other game won more than one award at the gala.

The success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is no longer just a phenomenon within the sector, but also a cultural symbol that has transcended the realm of video games, consolidating itself as one of the greatest European achievements in the recent history of the industry.