For the past year, the developers at Sandfall Interactive have effectively served as digital envoys for French culture within the gaming industry, making their recent official recognition a fitting milestone. The studio behind the acclaimed RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 recently announced that they have been formally honored by France’s Ministry of Culture. In a nod to national tradition, the celebration even featured the quintessential red beret and striped attire.
Sandfall shared the news via LinkedIn, posting images of the team wearing the silver medallions that signify their induction into the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters). This prestigious honor is organized into three distinct ranks: Knight, Officer, and Commander. The Sandfall Interactive team was appointed as Knights, a title granted to those over the age of 30 who have made significant contributions to the enrichment of French cultural heritage.
With only 200 knighthoods conferred by the Ministry annually, Sandfall Interactive—a compact studio of about 30 employees—claimed a staggering 15 percent of this year’s available distinctions.
“From Expeditioners to Knights! We were received yesterday at the Ministry of Culture to celebrate our game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. As such, the members of Sandfall Interactive were awarded the Order of Arts and Letters. This distinction honors us, and our deepest thanks go especially to our team who shaped this world and to the millions of players who have brought it to life. We hope that our journey will inspire all those who wish to take the plunge and create their own work.”
While the ranks of Officer and Commander represent more exclusive tiers—limited to 60 and 20 recipients per year, respectively—Knights are eligible for promotion after five years of continued excellence. Given that Sandfall has already commenced work on a new project set within the Clair Obscur universe, the studio may well be on track to sweep the higher echelons of the Order by 2031. For a team already accustomed to critical acclaim, state-level prestige is a natural next step.
Ultimately, being knighted by the Republic is a far more impressive way to mark one’s 30s than almost any other professional accolade.
Source: Polygon
