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 anticipated that Oblivion would overshadow its competitor. However, Kepler Interactive's senior portfolio manager, Matt Handrahan, reported to The Game Business that not only did Oblivion not negatively impact Clair Obscur, but it actually enhanced the latter's success by increasing overall excitement for the RPG genre.
To provide some context, RPG enthusiasts were faced with a challenging decision: dive into the expansive world of Cyrodiil in Oblivion or embark on a quest to confront the Paintress in Clair Obscur. The simultaneous release of these two games sparked a mix of excitement and frustration among fans, prompting a witty response from Kepler Interactive.
On social media, Kepler shared a cleverly edited image depicting characters from Clair Obscur stepping into an Oblivion Gate, captioned "omg its like barbenheimer," playfully 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, the owner of Bethesda and a significant supporter of Clair Obscur since its announcement at an Xbox Showcase the previous year, faced criticism for the shadow-drop of Oblivion, especially since both titles were available on Game Pass from day one.
Nevertheless, Handrahan remained optimistic. "We always knew that Expedition 33 had a very specific identity," he explained. "From my time in the press, I recognized the distinct appeal and audiences of Western-style RPGs and Japanese-style RPGs. Many who enjoy Elder Scrolls games might not be drawn to Final Fantasy, and vice versa.
"By the time we launched, we had built our own momentum and felt confident in standing alongside Oblivion. Factors like our pricing and inclusion in Game Pass contributed to our strong interest. We were confident in our approach, and the launch exceeded our expectations. The proximity to Oblivion didn't hurt us at all; in fact, it spotlighted quality RPGs that week and fueled discussions about the genre."
AnswerSee ResultsClair Obscur has proven to be a massive success for Kepler and its French developer, Sandfall Interactive, selling over 1 million copies within just three days and achieving remarkable concurrent player counts on Steam. The game's success even earned praise from French President Macron for the development team.Bethesda announced that Oblivion Remastered attracted over 4 million players since its launch, though specific sales figures remain undisclosed. It, too, has seen significant concurrent player numbers on Steam.
The Game Business cited data from Ampere, indicating that 35% of Clair Obscur players also played Oblivion Remastered, highlighting a considerable overlap. This overlap is largely attributed to both games being available on Game Pass, with the percentage decreasing among Steam and PlayStation 5 users.
We have extensive coverage on Oblivion Remastered, including a report on a player who ventured beyond Cyrodiil to explore Valenwood, Skyrim, and even Hammerfell, the speculated setting for The Elder Scrolls VI.For a comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered, check out our resources, including an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, every PC Cheat Code, and much more.
For those interested in Clair Obscur, be sure to review our essential tips and insights before embarking on your journey in the game.
