Following the release of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developer Sandfall Interactive has confirmed it intends to maintain its current office space rather than scale up into a larger facility. The Montpellier-based studio, which partnered with publisher Kepler Interactive for the project, operates out of a building known as “The Manor.”
A Coincidental Workspace
Creative director and CEO Guillaume Broche noted that the studio's move into the manor was prompted by the need for more space compared to their previous, smaller office. The design similarity to the in-game manor was discovered only after the team began the move-in process. The space is intended to foster a specific working environment, with Broche emphasizing that the team wants the office to feel like a house where staff can “make games with friends.”
Studio Philosophy and Future
While the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 provides the studio with the potential to expand, Broche maintains that keeping the team in a smaller, closer-knit environment is a priority. This decision is driven by a desire to preserve the “independent spirit” that defined the studio's debut title.
Quick Facts
- Developer: Sandfall Interactive
- Studio Location: Montpellier, France
- Publisher: Kepler Interactive
- Office Design Influence: The office's resemblance to the game was coincidental; the team chose the space for its atmosphere rather than its architectural connection to the game world.
The studio currently uses the manor to support close communication and team-building, featuring communal areas like a garden for activities such as Pétanque and Ping Pong. Whether this approach to workspace management will shift as the team takes on future projects remains unknown.