Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida told Clair Obscur devs to not call it a 'turn-based RPG' so people wouldn't 'overlook' it
More than eight million copies sold suggests he might've been right.
In a lecture at the Busan Indie Connect Festival 2026, former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida advised indie developers of Clair Obscur to refrain from labeling the game as a turn-based RPG. Yoshida's concern stemmed from the unpopularity of turn-based RPGs, specifically JRPGs, several years ago. He played a demo of Clair Obscur, which reminded him of his own game, The Legend of Dragoon, and suggested the developers at Sandfall Interactive avoid using the term altogether.
Yoshida believed the mere mention of "turn-based" could deter potential players, as it might give them the impression that the game's combat was sluggish and unengaging. Instead, Sandfall Interactive decided to market Clair Obscur as featuring "reactive turn-based battles," emphasizing the game's active combat mechanics. Although it is unclear whether this change in terminology directly contributed to the game's success, it is evident that the term "turn-based" can hinder a game's appeal.
Clair Obscur has since sold over 8 million copies, proving that the game's unique combat style resonates with players beyond the traditional turn-based RPG audience. Yoshida emphasized that the game's success demonstrates the benefits of not blindly following industry trends.
Written by urgent.news from PC Gamer's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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