The CEO of Roblox, Dave Baszucki, has expressed his interest in integrating prediction markets within the popular gaming platform, although he acknowledges that there are significant regulatory hurdles. During a recent interview with The New York Times, Baszucki mentioned that each country has its own legislation regarding “loot boxes” and gambling aimed at children, which complicates the implementation of this innovative idea. Like betting houses, but with another name, prediction markets function as platforms where users can buy and sell contracts related to various events, from sports to movie awards. These […]
The CEO of Roblox, Dave Baszucki, has expressed his interest in integrating prediction markets within the popular gaming platform, although he acknowledges that there are significant regulatory hurdles. During a recent interview with The New York Times, Baszucki mentioned that each country has its own legislation regarding “loot boxes” and gambling aimed at children, which complicates the implementation of this innovative idea.
Like betting houses, but with another name
Prediction markets function as platforms where users can buy and sell contracts related to various events, from sports to film awards. These platforms, such as Polymarket and Kalshi, operate differently from traditional betting houses as there is no “house” setting the odds. In the United States, these markets are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which has granted approvals to Polymarket and Kalshi, the latter even reaching a recent agreement with CNN to include its markets in the channel’s programming.
Despite concerns about the safety and morality of prediction markets, especially regarding child audiences, Baszucki defends the idea and emphasizes its potential as an educational tool if implemented ethically and legally. In this sense, he proposed a concept like “Dress to Impress Predictor” which, in his opinion, could be appealing without trying to take children’s money through betting.
Currently, Kalshi has distinct prediction markets, such as the “Game of the Year” at The Game Awards, where over $2.3 million has changed hands, favoring Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as the top choice. However, public opinion on the safety of these markets remains divided, and many observers express skepticism about the possibility of integrating them into an environment like Roblox, which has a large base of young users.
Samantha Béart, known for her role as Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3, has expressed her concern about how video game actors are often underestimated by developers, even though fans consider them essential to the gaming experience. During her speech at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards, Béart highlighted an evident disconnect between the perception that developers have of the role of actors and how players value them, similar to the dynamics in the film and television industry. She believes that the industry still does not respect their work “There is a […]
Samantha Béart, known for her role as Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3, has expressed her concern about how video game actors are often underestimated by developers, even though fans consider them essential to the gaming experience. During her speech at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards, Béart highlighted an evident disconnect between the perception that developers have about the role of actors and how players value them, similar to the dynamics in the film and television industry.
He believes that the industry still does not respect their work
“There is a strange disconnection,” commented Béart. “Developers often do not see us as part of the team, while players consider us almost on the front line.” This sentiment resonates in a context where narrative-driven games, such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, have begun to elevate the profile of actors in the industry, establishing fan loyalty not only towards the characters but also towards those who portray them.
The actress emphasized that video game actors must be proactive to increase their visibility, using social media and algorithms to their advantage, as, according to her, studios do not always promote their recognition. “I feel that we must ‘arm ourselves’ with social media to do it,” Béart stated.
In a similar sense, Charlie Cox, actor in Expedition 33, emphasized the importance of motion capture actor, Maxence Cazorla, for the main character, Gustave. This type of recognition helps highlight the specific challenges associated with performances in video games. Roger Clark, voice of Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2, also supported this idea by pointing out that “a community is needed” to create a hero in a game.
Finally, Béart addressed the confusion surrounding her character Karlach, often perceived as “sweet” and “cheerful.” “She has a dark background; she is not just a colorful piece,” she concluded. This nuance reflects the complexity and depth that actors bring to video games, elements that deserve to be recognized and valued fairly in the industry.
Voice actress Jennifer English, known for her work in several critically acclaimed games, has been confirmed as the voice of Alora, the Empress of Eldveil, in the upcoming MMO Soulframe from Digital Extremes. English has made a name for herself in the video game industry thanks to her involvement in titles like Elden Ring, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and her contribution has been considered a talisman for award-winning games. An MMO of which we still do not know many details. In a recent conversation with GamesRadar+ during the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards, English expressed her enthusiasm for […]
Voice actress Jennifer English, known for her work in several critically acclaimed games, has been confirmed as the voice of Alora, the Empress of Eldveil, in the upcoming MMO Soulframe from Digital Extremes. English has made a name for herself in the video game industry thanks to her involvement in titles such as Elden Ring, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and her contribution has been regarded as a talisman for award-winning games.
A MMO that we still don’t know many details about
In a recent conversation with GamesRadar+ during the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards, English expressed his enthusiasm for the role of Alora, referring to it as his “dream part.” The character he plays is a fairy empress whose morals are aligned with nature. Additionally, English has mentioned that he will use a Welsh accent to bring this new character to life, a detail that adds depth to his performance.
Although details about the specific features of Alora have not yet been revealed, the team behind Soulframe has shared concept art of the character, which has been described as an original and striking design. The integration of insects into her design suggests a unique aesthetic that is sure to resonate with players.
Jennifer English has gained recognition for her acting ability, which has led her to be part of games that have received multiple awards. Her ability to embody significant characters in the narrative of video games has cemented her reputation within the industry. With Soulframe, her performance is expected to once again contribute to the success of the game, which promises to be a new benchmark in the fantasy RPG genre.
Megabonk, the successful indie game that has sold over a million copies in just two weeks, has achieved a nomination for Best Debut Indie Game at the 2025 Game Awards. However, the developer known as vedinad has decided to withdraw from this category, claiming that Megabonk is not his first game. “It is an honor and a dream to receive a nomination, but unfortunately I don’t think it qualifies for the ‘Debut Indie Game’ category,” vedinad stated in a message via Twitter. They can’t award you for debuting if you’re not debuting The developer’s decision […]
Megabonk, the successful indie game that has sold over a million copies in just two weeks, has achieved a nomination for Best Debut Indie Game at the 2025 Game Awards. However, the developer known as vedinad has decided to withdraw from this category, claiming that Megabonk is not his first game. “It is an honor and a dream to receive a nomination, but unfortunately I do not believe it qualifies for the ‘Debut Indie Game’ category,” vedinad stated in a message via Twitter.
You can’t be rewarded for debuting if you’re not debuting
The developer’s decision has sparked a debate about what is truly considered an indie game and what ‘debut’ means. Although vedinad has created games previously under different studio names, other nominees have also had prior trajectories in the industry. For example, the studio Adhoc, creator of the game Dispatch, was founded by veterans of Telltale, and Sandfall Interactive, responsible for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, is led by former Ubisoft employees.
Additionally, this case has highlighted the complexity behind the indie category. A recent example is the game Dave the Diver, which was nominated for Best Indie Game in 2023 but whose classification as indie has been questioned due to its development by Mintrocket, a division of the Korean giant Nexon. The game’s director, Jaeho Hwang, has stated that he does not consider his game to be an indie title, which adds more confusion to the term.
For the moment, Megabonk is still listed as a nominee in the Game Awards, and it is still unclear whether this nomination will be canceled or if it will remain in the competition. I have contacted the event organizers for more information and will update this story if I receive a response.
With less than a month until its celebration, the Game Awards 2025 have revealed their list of nominees, determined by a panel of critics, journalists, and prominent figures in the industry. This year stands out for being one of the most representative editions of French culture in terms of nominations, where the most nominated game is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by Sandfall Interactive. With a total of ten nominations, including Game of the Year, it surpasses titles like Death Stranding 2. Clair Obscur has taken all the spotlight of the event Despite its multiple nominations, Clair Obscur […]
With less than a month until the celebration, the Game Awards 2025 have revealed their list of nominees, determined by a panel of critics, journalists, and prominent figures in the industry. This year stands out as one of the most representative editions of French culture in terms of nominations, where the most nominated game is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by Sandfall Interactive. With a total of ten nominations, including Game of the Year, it surpasses titles like Death Stranding 2.
Clair Obscur has taken all the spotlight at the event
Despite its multiple nominations, Clair Obscur will have to face strong competitors like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and the acclaimed sequel Hollow Knight: Silksong. These games highlight the diversity and quality present in the video game industry this year. The competition is intense, especially considering the fervor that Hollow Knight fans usually show on social media and online platforms.
Fans have the opportunity to participate in the selection process through the official page of The Game Awards, where they can cast their votes before the ceremony scheduled for December 11. This adds an element of interaction that allows followers to feel they have a voice in the final decisions, which can shape the public perception of the winners.
The competition categories include Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, and Innovation in Accessibility, among others. Members of the gaming community will be able to reflect on issues such as the differences between Game of the Year and Best Game Direction, as well as who deserves the award for Best Performance, given that Clair Obscur has multiple nominated actors who require special consideration. Fans can expect a night full of surprises and recognition of outstanding achievements in the world of video games.
The RPG from Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has captured the attention of both the gaming community and the specialized press, being considered one of the best titles released this year. Many enthusiasts are already proposing it as a strong candidate for the Game of the Year (GOTY) 2025 award, a recognition that supports its remarkable commercial success and its favorable reception among fans and critics. Hamaguchi, convinced of the virtues of Expedition 33 Recently, Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, has joined the voices praising this title, choosing it as his game of the […]
The RPG from Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has captured the attention of both the gaming community and the specialized press, being considered one of the best titles released this year. Many enthusiasts are already proposing it as a strong candidate for the Game of the Year (GOTY) 2025 award, a recognition that supports its remarkable commercial success and favorable reception among fans and critics.
Hamaguchi, convinced of the virtues of Expedition 33
Recently, Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, has joined the voices praising this title, choosing it as his game of the year in a statement given to the media GamesRadar. Hamaguchi highlighted that the combination of elements within the game, including its combat system inspired by classic JRPGs, the setting, the narrative, and the characters, are exceptionally balanced. “Everything fits perfectly,” said the Japanese director, emphasizing the solid gameplay that manages to engage players.
The visit from part of the Sandfall team to the Square Enix headquarters was received by Hamaguchi as a gesture of respect towards the legacy of traditional JRPGs, revealing a mutual admiration between the creators. “Not only have they created a great game, but they also showed that respect for the classic style,” he expressed about the attention to detail and high quality showcased in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
As competition in the video game industry intensifies, the success of titles like Expedition 33 highlights a shift in the landscape, with an additional mention that major productions are increasingly facing obstacles. The ability of this title to resonate with players suggests that there is a promising future for developers who prioritize quality and emotional connection in their releases.
Glen Powell, known for his role in Top Gun: Maverick, has expressed his interest in participating in the film adaptation of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a video game that has seen notable success since its release in April 2023. In a recent interview with IGN, Powell admitted that he has become a fan of the game and expressed his desire to be part of the movie, although he did not specify a particular character. Glen Powell likes impossible missions The live-action movie of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was announced earlier this year, even before […]
Glen Powell, known for his role in Top Gun: Maverick, has expressed his interest in participating in the film adaptation of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a video game that has seen notable success since its release in April 2023. In a recent interview with IGN, Powell admitted that he has become a fan of the game and expressed his desire to be part of the movie, although he did not specify a particular character.
Glen Powell likes impossible missions
The live-action movie of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was announced earlier this year, even before the video game was released. This project is the result of a collaboration between the developer Sandfall Interactive and Story Kitchen, a studio that has gained recognition for its work on the Sonic the Hedgehog movies and is also producing the Life Is Strange series for Amazon MGM Studios.
Since its launch, the video game has sold over five million copies on platforms such as PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Players have been captivated by its appealing world and its outstanding voice cast, which includes Charlie Cox, known for his role as Daredevil, and Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in The Lord of the Rings. Also part of the cast are Ben Starr (Final Fantasy 16) and Jennifer English (Baldur’s Gate 3).
In addition, Sandfall Interactive is working on a new update that will include “challenging boss battles,” which could further increase interest in the game and, consequently, in its future film adaptation. This connection between the success of the video game and the potential arrival of the movie in theaters could be a powerful combination to attract both game enthusiasts and new viewers on the big screen.
Since its announcement in 2024, the game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Sandfall Interactive has exceeded all expectations, establishing the studio as one of the most promising in the video game industry. Six months after its release, the adventure has recorded impressive sales of over five million copies on platforms like PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, placing it on par with other major releases of 2025. The soundtrack is also a hit Guillaume Broche, the creative director of the RPG, has shared his excitement after the game’s outstanding reception. The response to our game has been […]
Since its announcement in 2024, the game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Sandfall Interactive has exceeded all expectations, establishing the studio as one of the most promising in the video game industry. Six months after its release, the adventure has recorded impressive sales of over five million copies on platforms like PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, placing it on par with other major releases of 2025.
The soundtrack is also a hit
Guillaume Broche, creative director of the RPG, has shared his enthusiasm following the outstanding reception of the game. The response to our game has been incredible, Broche commented. We spent years working on our dream project and knowing that it has resonated so powerfully around the world is wonderful. This connection with players has helped establish a strong community around Expedition 33.
In addition to its commercial success, the game’s soundtrack has made a significant impact. Composed by Lorien Testard, it has reached over 333 million digital streams and has maintained the number one spot on the Billboard Classical charts for more than ten weeks, as well as the top position on the iTunes top 100 in nine countries, including France.
To continue with this momentum, Sandfall Interactive and Kepler Interactive have announced the development of a major free update that will bring new environments, unprecedented enemies, boss battles, and costumes for the characters. Support for new languages such as Czech, Ukrainian, and Latin American Spanish will also be expanded, raising the total to 19 available languages.
With these achievements, Expedition 33 has not only proven to be a commercial success but has also generated a cultural impact, reaffirming the relevance of Sandfall Interactive in the field of contemporary video games.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has swept this year for knowing how to channel the spirit of classic JRPGs and give them a contemporary twist and a high-budget project finish. Exactly what a whole nostalgic generation of the Final Fantasy from the first two PlayStations wants. But many others, who grew up with JRPGs beyond the Final Fantasy of those two generations and who have not stopped playing the genre, feel that something is missing in the game. We lack the feeling that it truly is a JRPG. Because JRPGs are more than turn-based battles, […]
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has taken the year by storm for knowing how to channel the spirit of classic JRPGs and give them a contemporary twist and a high-budget project finish. Exactly what a nostalgic generation of the Final Fantasy from the first two PlayStations wants. But many others, who grew up with JRPGs beyond the Final Fantasy of those two generations and who have not stopped playing the genre, feel that something is missing in the game. We miss it truly feeling like a JRPG.
Because JRPGs are more than turn-based battles, anime aesthetics, and stories about saving the world. In fact, they don’t have to be any of these things. Something that was masterfully demonstrated by a Belgian game in 2008 that couldn’t have a more peculiar name: Off.
One of the most interesting JRPGs of the 00s
Developed by Unproductive Fun Time, a team made up of two people, Mortis Ghost and Alias Conrad Coldwood, the game makes us control El Bateador, a man dressed like a baseball player with a single purpose: to purify the world. To do this, he will have to exterminate all the spirits he encounters along the way, but also those who command, produce, and control them. All with the aim of making the world pure again.
The game, since its release, became an obsession for certain online communities, especially those who love JRPGs that were on platforms like Tumblr. Although originally published in French, its translation into English allowed it to reach a wider audience, becoming one of the most popular games of its year.
Off was created in RPG Maker 2003 and was inspired by games like Final Fantasy, Silent Hill 2, or Killer 7, as well as the novel Ten Little Indians by Agatha Christie, which already suggests the particular strangeness of the game. But it can also make something evident: it is a game made without many resources and that, in not a few ways, can be difficult to play today. This is something that Fangamer has thought would be perfect for a remaster.
With Mortis Ghost at the helm, although without Alias Conrad Coldwood, this remaster of Off is the same game, but more polished. The combat now feels better and is more technical, the graphics are in high definition, and there is more optional content for those who played the original. The only substantial change is the soundtrack, which replaces the original with a new one composed for the occasion by Toby Fox, the creator of Undertale and Deltarune. Both games are heavily influenced by Off.
An example of what a remaster and a JRPG should be
This remaster respects the essence of the original, being the optimal way to play Off today. Perhaps the only Western JRPG that deserves to be called this way for anyone who is a lover of JRPGs due to the depth and interest of its battles and narrative.
Anyone who enjoys RPGs, experimental games, or works of art that play with the boundaries of what is real and what is fiction should play Off. A game full of subtleties, that constantly puts the player in uncomfortable and interesting situations, and that should not go unnoticed. Not in the year of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Because everything that is said about that one applies to Off as well, and even in a more genuine way. Because Off may be the best JRPG of its generation. And it’s not even Japanese.
Surely you have heard very good reviews of the game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Sandfall Interactive, as it has captured the attention and imagination of players since its release in 2025. This RPG has provided memorable experiences, standing out not only for its gameplay but also for its impressive soundtrack. A very detail-oriented fandom Recently, the developers at Sandfall have responded to the growing demand from players by making the sound of Renoir’s characteristic cane available as a downloadable audio file. This decision was driven by an initial request from a player who wanted […]
Surely you have heard very good reviews of the game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Sandfall Interactive, and it has captured the attention and imagination of players since its release in 2025. This RPG has provided memorable experiences, standing out not only for its gameplay but also for its impressive soundtrack.
A very detail-oriented fandom
Recently, the developers of Sandfall have responded to the growing demand from players by making the sound of Renoir’s characteristic cane available as a downloadable audio file. This decision was driven by an initial request from a player who wanted to use the sound as a notification tone on their mobile device. Since then, numerous requests led to the creation of this option, which is now available for free on the official game page.
Raphaël Joffres, music and audio designer at Sandfall Interactive, shared the story behind this initiative in a LinkedIn post. He detailed how the feedback from the enthusiastic community was essential to make the sound download a reality. We have received quite a few requests to make the sound of Renoir’s Cane downloadable… So here it is, Joffres commented, emphasizing the connection between the game and its followers.
This phenomenon has caught the attention of even prominent figures in the video game industry. Ken Levine, creator of the acclaimed BioShock series, praised Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as a model to follow, highlighting its focus on the player experience over microtransactions and live services, an aspect that has resonated with many users who long to customize their gaming experience.
Thus, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has not only made its mark through its gameplay but also through its unique interaction with its community, setting a new standard in the relationship between developers and players.
