Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida told Clair Obscur devs to not call it a ‘turn-based RPG’ so people wouldn’t ‘overlook’ it
Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida has revealed that he advised the developers of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 against describing the game as a "turn-based RPG" in its marketing, warning that the label risked putting off potential players who might otherwise "overlook" it. The comment highlights long-standing industry nervousness about turn-based combat being seen as a niche or old-fashioned selling point, even as the genre has enjoyed a resurgence with critically acclaimed titles.
Yoshida, known for championing creative and unconventional projects during his time at PlayStation, made the remarks in relation to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the acclaimed RPG from French studio Sandfall Interactive. The article does not provide further detail on the specific context or timing of his advice, but it underscores the tension developers and publishers face between accurately describing a game's mechanics and using language that broadens its commercial appeal.
- Yoshida told Clair Obscur devs to avoid the "turn-based RPG" label
- He feared the term would cause players to overlook the game
- Highlights industry caution around marketing turn-based combat games