Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn’t just having a good year—it’s having the kind of launch most developers dream about.
It’s entirely out of stock in physical form. In a time when digital is king, seeing such demand for physical copies is a blast from the past. And that's what makes this achievement so outrageous for Sandfall Interactive.
What’s even more impressive is that this wasn’t a limited collector’s edition or a small regional release. We're seeing standard physical editions fly off shelves in various regions across the globe.
The demand was so high that the developers had to release a public apology, explaining the unexpected shortage and promising restocks soon. It’s not something you hear often anymore—an RPG selling too well in physical form—but that’s exactly the case here.
Even seasoned players were blindsided by this surge. Normally digital buyers were suddenly scrambling to add the disc version to their collections, not only to back the developers but because Expedition 33 feels like a game that's truly worth owning.
It’s the type of RPG that earns a permanent spot in your collection, not just a game you finish and forget about. People were posting stories online about missing out, waiting in line at stores, and even going for two copies to hold that box art.
This is on the heels of the game’s massive digital success, with more than a million units sold within days—not counting its Game Pass numbers. The potential for physical demand to rise despite such extensive digital reach speaks for itself.
People are so invested that they want a physical piece of it to keep. In fact, I've already ordered a physical disc for myself by the time I write this. In a space where live services and fleeting trends take the spotlight, this type of physical sellout feels like a rare event.
When a game checks all the boxes with exceptional world-building, engaging systems, and a narrative that resonates, players will flock to it in every way possible. Quite the feat, especially considering it launched alongside Oblivion Remastered, a title that many worried would overshadow it.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has already proved it’s one of 2025’s biggest RPGs. Now, it’s one of the rare few that managed to bring back the magic of a true sellout. Even after all the success, Expedition 33 continues to thrive.
Rumors are already swirling about a live-action adaptation, which would only cement the game's place in history if it happens. Regardless of your stance on JRPGs or tactical combat, it's impossible to ignore that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands as one of the boldest and most rewarding games of the year.
With physical copies sold out worldwide in record time, this latest accomplishment is just one more mind-blowing milestone in an ever-evolving journey.