France awards Knight status to Sandfall Interactive team

In a historic move for the French video game industry, the Ministry of Culture has officially appointed the development team at Sandfall Interactive as Chevaliers (Knights) of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters). The ceremony, held in Paris on February 6th, recognised the studio for its contribution to national culture following the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

This honour is rarely bestowed upon an entire studio, typically reserved for an individual. Some of those include Shigeru Miyamoto and Michel Ancel. Founders Guillaume Broche, Tom Guillermin, and François Meurisse, along with other team members, received the Order's medals. The studio later shared a statement on LinkedIn, noting that they hoped their journey would inspire other creators to take the plunge into ambitious narrative work. Minister of Culture Rachida Dati, who presided over the knighthood ceremony, emphasised that the decoration serves to validate video games as an “essential cultural industry” and a legitimate art form.

Set in a world inspired by the French Belle Époque, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has reportedly sold over 5 million copies since its April 2025 release, praised for its unique blend of traditional turn-based RPG mechanics and reactive, rhythm-based gameplay.

The award comes just months after Sandfall Interactive achieved a record-breaking sweep at The Game Awards 2025, where Expedition 33 took home nine trophies, including the prestigious Game of the Year. It was the first time a French-developed title won the top prize at the ceremony, prompting public congratulations from President Emmanuel Macron, who described the Montpellier-based studio as a “source of great pride”.

KitGuru says: The “knighting” of Sandfall Interactive is more than just a ceremonial pat on the back. While the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres has recognised gaming legends in the past, awarding the title of Chevalier to an entire team is unheard of. It effectively cements Expedition 33 as more than a commercial success but also as a permanent fixture of French cultural heritage.

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