Whether it’s from AAA or indie studios, there's a seemingly endless stream of game releases. Some leave a lasting impact, others fade quietly.
But every now and then, there's a video game that completely shatters our expectations – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of them. Since its release, it's sold over 5 million copies and has broken records by becoming the most-awarded game in The Game Awards’ history.
So, what does it take to create a game that leaves the world buzzing?
A bold creative vision, experts who are passionate about their craft, and meticulous attention to every detail are a few key ingredients. It also requires the right partnerships.
When it came time to bring the voices of Maelle, Gustave, Verso, and the entire crew of Expedition 33 to life, Sandfall Interactive and Kepler Interactive turned to Side for the game’s English Voice Production.
Our London studio supported everything from casting, directing, and recording to post-production. The goal: to ensure every element of the production aligned with the project's unique creative and technical vision – and to deliver emotional performances that would stay with players long after they finished the game.
Read on to discover how we helped make this vision a reality.
Laying the Groundwork for Great Performances
When the Sandfall team first came to Side, they came exceptionally prepared with in-depth character bios, background materials, cinematic scripts, videos, as well as the high-profile talent they wanted – all shared well in advance. First on the scene was our Production Manager, Veronica Gonzalez, acting as a liaison between Sandfall and Side.
Coordinating with their team, Vero was always on hand for calls and updates and kept the project in motion from start to finish, being the glue that held everything together and ultimately making the collaboration a success. Our pre-production team also proved flexible with scheduling, accommodating tight timelines and handling session prep on short notice when needed.
From a directing standpoint, it was clear the project demanded exceptionally evocative performances to get its story across. Every role mattered with a relatively small cast where each character carried significant narrative weight. Sandfall brought in veteran performance director Joanna Green to establish a shared understanding of the vision and build the communication framework that would guide the entire production.
Sandfall’s detailed brief also helped our Casting Director, Victoria Howard, get a solid grasp of the game world and support the casting process for performances that would go on to make waves across the industry.
Casting for Chemistry
With Sandfall's vision established and high-profile talent like Charlie Cox (Gustave) and Andy Serkis (Renoir) secured for key roles, the casting process began for the remaining characters.
The cast would include established gaming VA veterans like Ben Starr (Verso), best known for his prior role as Clive Rosfield in Final Fantasy XVI, and Jennifer English (Maelle), best known for her role as Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate III – actors with proven track records and dedicated fanbases.
But our Casting Director looked beyond experience in the booth alone. With Joanna’s guidance available to guide actors who had slightly less prior experience with video games, the focus was on finding the best fit for each role.
For example, Kirsty Rider, who plays the leading role of Lune, had only recorded one game before Clair Obscur, but with her experience and range, our team knew she would be a great fit. Her performance went on to become one of the Clair Obscur fandom's favorites while earning her a 2026 BAFTA Games Award Nomination for Performer in a Supporting Role! Rich Keeble (Monoco) was another standout addition, with Victoria placing him in the casting pool early on, confident he'd be a strong fit for the role – also earning him a spot on the 2026 BAFTA Games Longlist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxKnW9PuS-M
Behind the scenes at Side London, recording for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Recording a World on the Brink - *Warning: Spoilers Ahead!*
Recording for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 required both technical precision and emotional sensitivity – a necessity given the world we were helping to bring to life.
The game is set in a dark fantasy world – inspired by Belle Époque France – where the primary antagonist, the Paintress, wakes each year to paint a descending number, causing everyone of that age to vanish.
What follows is an intense journey through a land filled with mystery and wonder, but also terror and constant danger. The story doesn't shy away from trauma, loss, and the psychological toll of watching people you care about get utterly destroyed. The game has no shortage of visceral moments that demand performances capable of carrying that emotional weight.
The city of Lumière in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Several scenes required particular care. The Gommage of the character Sophie (voiced by Billie Fulford-Brown), for example, was a heartbreaking moment. Maelle's reaction to Gustave's death demanded raw emotion. And Sciel (voiced by Shala Nyx) opening up about her darkest moments required vulnerability. Each of these performances needed actors to access deep, difficult emotions.
Side's approach focused on creating the right environment. We ensured actors felt comfortable and supported, giving them the space to deliver authentic performances without rushing or forcing the emotion.
Sophie and Gustave in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
A reliable crew and the right tools can also have a huge impact on production. The consistency of working with the same two engineers throughout the project allowed Sandfall to jump straight into their preferred workflows.
Our recording booths – with dedicated workspace, monitors, and plugs for all parties – also allowed everyone on the Sandfall team to stay focused on the work while in studio rather than fighting for space, as shared by Lead Writer and Voice & Localization Producer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen.
What’s more, Sandfall's advanced lip-syncing technology gave actors more freedom than typical game recordings with strict locked timings, allowing them to deliver lines in ways that matched the scene and emotion.
Finally, even in post-production, choices were made to serve the game's specific atmosphere. While most games remove “pre-life” sounds – the small, intimate breaths or sounds that naturally occur before reading a voiced line – the Sandfall team and Side took a different approach for Clair Obscur. By keeping more of these natural breathing moments in the game, the intimacy and authenticity of the performances was strengthened in the game's many delicate, emotional scenes.
A Breakout Hit Earning Global Recognition
When Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launched in 2025, it became an instant phenomenon, emerging as a Game of the Year contender, earning critical acclaim, and gathering a passionate fanbase.
Since its release, Clair Obscur has shattered expectations even further by breaking records and winning dozens of awards at key ceremonies across all areas, including for its performances. Jennifer English took home Best Performance at The Game Awards 2025 and Best Lead Performer at the Golden Joystick Awards – a night which also saw Ben Starr win Best Supporting Performer for his role as Verso.
Jennifer English as Maelle in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Ben Starr as Verso in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
From the start, many critics specifically called out the voice performances as a defining element of the game's success:
"Massive credit is due to the impeccable acting and voice performances from an A-list cast, as well as script writing and scene direction that has dialogue playing out like natural, real-life conversations – small gestures, subtle expressions, and the cadence of the line deliveries are qualities that ground its story in something that feels as real as it is fantastical."
– IGN
"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a thunderous debut from Sandfall Interactive. Its palette is brimming with cleverly engaging turn-based combat, impeccable art direction, and voice performances that rival feature films. The result is an incredible work of video game art."
– GamingNexus
The collaboration between Side, Sandfall, and Kepler demonstrates how independent studios can achieve AAA-level voice production quality through strong partnerships, clear communication, and a shared commitment to bringing ambitious creative visions to life.
Partnership in Action
The success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is proof of what happens when every part of production is grounded in trust and open collaboration. Sandfall and Kepler also went beyond standard industry practice by bringing the cast and crew together at key moments both before and after recording, creating genuine rapport and chemistry that translated to the performances on screen.
At Side, that’s the kind of creative partnership we aim to build on for every project: one where studios and actors feel supported, where thoughtful processes elevate performances, and where ambitious visions find their voice.
Massive thanks to Sandfall Interactive and Kepler Interactive for the opportunity to collaborate on this special project.
Interested in learning more about our full scope of audio production services? Reach out today.
