Last updated on December 12, 2025
At the start of 2025, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was a name that meant very little to most players. It wasn’t surrounded by hype it wasn’t pushed as the next big blockbuster, and few expected it to dominate conversations by year’s end. Yet that is exactly what happened.
Sandfall Interactive’s debut title didn’t just earn praise, it made history. At The Game Awards, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 shattered records for total wins and walked away with the ultimate prize: Game of the Year. For a studio that was virtually unknown months earlier, the achievement felt surreal.
Instead of letting the moment pass, Sandfall Interactive chose to respond in the best way possible: by giving something back.
The “Thank You” Update Feels Like a Celebration, Not a Patch
Released as a surprise announcement at the very end of The Game Awards, the newly launched “Thank You” update is available now and completely free. Calling it a simple update would be misleading. In scope and intention, it plays more like a celebratory DLC aimed directly at the players who supported the game from day one.
The message is clear. This is not content released out of obligation, but out of appreciation.
Photo Mode, Finally Done Right
The most anticipated feature in the update is the official Photo Mode. Since launch, players had been asking for a way to capture the game’s haunting landscapes and painterly combat moments. A fan made mod attempted to fill that gap, but it was limited, unstable, and never truly felt native to the experience.
Now, Photo Mode is built directly into the game and accessible straight from the pause menu. The camera can move freely, allowing players to frame shots however they like, without technical friction. For a game so defined by its visual identity, this feature changes how players interact with its world.
It’s not just about screenshots. It’s about slowing down, observing details, and appreciating the artistry that helped define Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in the first place.
New Challenges and New Places to Explore
Photo Mode may be the headline addition, but the update goes much further. Players can now explore Verso’s Drafts, a brand new area that expands the game’s world and offers fresh encounters.
The Endless Tower has also received new enemies, while additional endgame bosses raise the difficulty ceiling for those looking to test their builds. New weapons and Luminas round out the update, providing more customization options and extending the game’s longevity well beyond its original scope.
All of this content arrives without any price tag attached, which only reinforces the intent behind the update.
Why This Game of the Year Win Feels Earned
What makes this moment stand out isn’t just the awards or the numbers. It’s the way Sandfall Interactive has handled success. Rather than distancing themselves from their audience, the studio has leaned into community feedback and delivered exactly what players wanted, without compromise.
The “Thank You” update feels like a reflection of the same care that went into the original game. It’s thoughtful, generous, and confident in its identity.
In a year full of high budget releases and familiar franchises, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stood out by doing something simpler and harder at the same time: earning trust. This update is just the latest reminder of why its Game of the Year title doesn’t feel like an upset, but like a natural conclusion to an extraordinary year.
