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[Draugoth]

Sandfall Interactive's phenomenal debut RPG is one of the most buzzed-about releases of the year, so it should surprise no one when we announce that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the biggest new third-party game launch on Xbox Game Pass of 2025:

Fresh from sweeping the Golden Joysticks and poised to do the same at The Game Awards, Sandfall Interactive's phenomenal debut RPG is one of the most buzzed-about releases of the year, so it should surprise no one when we announce that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the biggest new third-party game launch on Xbox Game Pass of 2025. That's based on the number of unique users in the first 30 days of its availability, which means a huge number of Xbox players joined Maelle, Gustave, Esquie, and the gang on their journey right from the beginning.

SOurce

 

[Punished Miku]

"Of 2025."

I would be surprised if it dethroned High on Life, but it's possible.

 

[ShaiKhulud1989]

This is oddly specific

 

[ungalo]

could have been interesting to have a number

nobody cares about them they should really stop the whole secrecy thing going on with numbers

 

[ShaiKhulud1989]

could have been interesting to have a number

nobody cares about them they should really stop the whole secrecy thing going on with numbers

Was there even a big third-party gamepass release this year?

Because it looks like a battle between E33 and Silksong, and for both Xbox was hardly the biggest or main platform.

 

[adamsapple]

This is oddly specific

But also not really that surprising. The game literally blew up in ways few could have expected pre-launch.

 

[ShaiKhulud1989]

But also not really that surprising. The game literally blew up in ways few could have expected pre-launch.

Oh, no point to water down E33 success. It was a roaring debut.

 

[PauloRoberto]

It is extremely telling that even in what can be considered 'good news', no numbers are shared, so the news in it self is moot...

And by the way, unique users accessing a game in a subscription service means nothing... i accessed FF XV via PS Plus and FU**ING HATED it, but my access is counted nonetheless.

PS: im not questioning E33 success, but im downright denying this metric value.

 

[Skifi28]

PS: im not questioning E33 success, but im downright denying this metric value.

How about "38 billion feet were collected by gamepass subscribers" ?

 

[calico]

Was there even a big third-party gamepass release this year?

No.

 

[Three]

This is oddly specific

Xbox Marketing source. They predict it's winning GOTY so they created this specific news simply for "it's available for gamepass guys". They made it fit E33.

So "third party" because COD would win and "this year" because something else would (probably high on life).

 

[adamsapple]

The announcement trailer at Xbox's summer showcase that started it all.

Still gives me goosebumps.

 

[Punished Miku]

The announcement trailer at Xbox's summer showcase that started it all.

Still gives me goosebumps.

Signed a GP deal before anyone saw it. Summer showcase announcement. Then again at the Jan direct. All a cynical ploy to get eyes on this blog post right around Game Awards season. They can't keep getting away with this.

 

[Witchilich]

Xbox Marketing source. They predict it's winning GOTY so they created this specific news simply for "it's available for gamepass guys". They made it fit E33.

So "third party" because COD would win and "this year" because something else would (probably high on life).

They are trying to make it a Xbox game even though it was inspired from PS2 era Final Fantasy games.
Like I said KCD 2 was my personal Game of the Year, and this is how our resident Microsoft bot reacted.

For your sanity, mentally prepare yourself for an Expedition 33 sweep.

Like he turned it into a console war with Expedition 33 associated with his console. Even if majority bought this game in PS5.

 

[Rockman33]

This is oddly specific

How is it oddly specific?

 

[adamsapple]

They are trying to make it a Xbox game even though it was inspired from PS2 era Final Fantasy games.
Like I said KCD 2 was my personal Game of the Year, and this is how our resident Microsoft bot reacted.

Like he turned it into a console war with Expedition 33 associated with his console. Even if majority bought this game in PS5.

 

[Zacfoldor]

Magnificence.

Congratulations on a true masterpiece.

 

[Witchilich]

 

[adamsapple]

Yes, your posts are. Agreed.

Stop bringing up unrelated KCD shit in the topic just because it hurt your fee fee's.

 

[Witchilich]

Yes, your posts are. Agreed.

Stop bringing up unrelated KCD shit in the topic just because it hurt your fee fee's.

You guys are the only ones who think people are upset with Expedition 33 winning and this game is associated with Xbox in some way.

 

[ElFenomeno]

Game Pass slop became GOTY?

 

[rm082e]

They can't keep getting away with this.

 

[adamsapple]

Game Pass slop became GOTY?

2025's leading GoTY candidate is a Game Pass game.

Phil never misses.

 

[IntentionalPun]

Some real bitch eating crackers energy in here.

 

[Lokaum D+]

imagine how many copies it sold and it didnt cause of gamepass, impossible to measure.

 

[Mr Moose]

Title is misleading, it says biggest new third-party game.

 

[Pedro Motta]

jesus christ, they lost tons of money because of this.