## The Myth of the Young Guns: Why “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” Debunks Gaming’s Ageist Stereotype
Gamer culture loves a good underdog story. Indie devs, scrappy teams, and youthful passion—these are the ingredients for a heartwarming narrative about defying the odds and conquering the industry. But what happens when that heartwarming narrative starts to feel… untrue?
That’s the question bubbling up from the recent PC Gamer article highlighting the controversy surrounding “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” and its creator, Geoff Keighley. Keighley, known for his prominent role in industry events like E3 and The Game Awards, initially lauded the game’s development team as “under 30,” a claim quickly met with pushback from the developers themselves.
Inside the “High School” of Gaming: Gamestanza’s Unconventional 2024 Awards
The annual cascade of Summer Game Fest broadcasts formally begins tonight with the Opening Showcase at 10pm UK time (11pm CEST/5pm EDT/2pm PDT). We’ll report all of the major announcements from it here, as they happen, while also chatting with you. So grab a tea or a coffee, or something harder if you like, and join us for the show. Tonight’s Opening Showcase is expected to be a long one with a projected runtime of around two hours. It’ll be hosted by Geoff Keighley, as ever, although he’ll be joined this year by friend-of-Eurogamer Lucy James, which is nice. You’ll know her from GameSpot. Keighley has kept a tight lid on announcements for tonight, although a couple of promo reels for the show have included footage from Death Stranding 2, new James Bond game 007: First Light, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and a bunch of other games I don’t immediately recognise. There’s also been an uptick in Resident Evil 9 speculation ahead of the show, suggesting a possible unveiling tonight. Wouldn’t that be nice?
This week’s gaming festivities were kicked off on Wednesday by a PlayStation State of Play broadcast, which unveiled 007: First Light to the world, resurrected Capcom’s lost-in-development Pragmata, debuted Silent Hill F, revealed a new Lumines game, and more. Tonight’s Opening Showcase will be followed directly by Day of the Devs, and then by a packed weekend of broadcasts including an Xbox Showcase on Sunday at 6pm UK time. I’ll return to live-report that show. We’ve compiled a full Summer Games Fest 2025 schedule elsewhere on the site. Join us shortly before 10pm UK time for the show. In the meantime, speculate away – what would you like to see?
The Game Awards this, The Game Awards that. We’re already tired of hearing about Geoff Keighley’s marketing show, and it’s still weeks away from actually happening. It is GOTY season, though, and while TheGamer’s staff will start sharing their lists soon, I’m more interested in classifying this year’s games in weird and unorthodox ways, because so many of them have been weird and unorthodox themselves. So here’s 2024 in gaming, except they’re people who went to your high school. Strap in, students. You’re not allowed to leave till the final bell rings. Future President Will, Metaphor: ReFantazio
If you’ve already played Atlus’ latest RPG, you know this is pretty much Will’s whole deal.
Metaphor: ReFantazio follows Will, an orphan from a marginalised tribe, as he participates in a Royal Tournament in an attempt to take the throne. Well, really, he’s just trying to kill the guy who killed the king so he can free his best friend, the rightful heir, from a magic curse. But he can’t, because the killer is protected by royal magic, because he’s a candidate for the throne, so he has to use the tournament to infiltrate his inner circle and… look, it’s very complicated. The point is, he’s a great leader. That kid’s going places. As a bonus, Metaphor also gets Best Singer, because that Buddhist priest is going crazy on that battle theme. Here’s my other favourite Japanese Monk song, while we’re talking about it.
Most Likely To Be Famous Black Myth: Wukong
Ah, the most famous of them all. Black Myth: Wukong is one of the fastest-selling games of all time, had 2.2 million concurrent players on Steam the day it launched, and is a torchbearer for triple-A game development in China, where the industry is dominated by mobile games with gacha mechanics. Also, Sun Wukong is one of the most famous mythological figures, like, ever. So I guess he’s already proven the superlative right.
Most Stylish Phoenix Springs
Okay, we’re looking at this from an abstract point of view. Is protagonist Iris Dormer the best dressed character? She’s wearing a blouse and pants the whole game, so maybe not. But Phoenix Springs is one of the most visually striking, memorable games I’ve ever played. I’m obsessed with its colour palette. It’s just unbelievably beautiful, a real feast for the eyes.
Most Ambitious Harold Halibut
You all forgot about old Harold, didn’t you? While Harold Halibut isn’t the biggest game, or the most complex, it took ten years to make, because every single one of its assets was made by hand from materials like clay, welded metal, and wood, then rendered in 3D through photogrammetry, and animated from there. That’s sets, puppets, props, and costumes. In fact, the original plan was to make the whole game in stop-motion, before the team realised this would somehow take even more time than expected. If that’s not ambitious, I don’t know what is.
Best Driver You, Pacific Drive
Pacific Drive’s fictionalised version of the Olympic Peninsula is full of danger, and your car is your safe haven – you have to explore the map over several runs, fixing up your motor all the while, because this survival game is also somehow also a roguelike. I’m a good driver in real life, but I am a very, very bad driver in Pacific Drive. I also don’t know how to fix a car in real life, though I can change a tire, so that’s something. If you finished Pacific Drive, you’re the best driver of them all. This award is for you.
Most Likely To Repeat Themselves Naughty Dog, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered
Ah yes, the latest of Naughty Dog’s remastering efforts, directed at a game that launched just four years ago and already had excellent graphics. Naughty Dog just loves to make a remaster. Where’s The Last of Us Part 3, you sickos? All of these remasters, and for what? I swear to god, if we get The Last of Us Part 1 Relasted Reparted next year, I’ll challenge Neil Druckmann to a cage fight. I don’t even care if I lose, it’s the principle of it.
Most Likely To Go Viral On Social Media
This is where things get interesting. Social media is a beast, and sometimes it’s impossible to predict which games will capture its attention. But based on trends and early buzz, here are a few strong contenders:
- Sifu: The kung fu revenge saga is already a hit thanks to its brutal combat and stylish visuals. Gamestanza predicts Sifu will become a meme factory, with players sharing their fails, successes, and stylish takedowns.
- Lies of P: This Souls-like Pinocchio retelling has all the ingredients for viral success: creepy aesthetic, challenging gameplay, and a tragic backstory. Expect plenty of “Lies of P” cosplays and fanart.
- Starfield: Bethesda’s return to space exploration is generating immense hype. While not known for their social media savvy, Bethesda’s track record of creating immersive worlds means Starfield will likely inspire countless fan creations and discussions.
Conclusion
The Unsettling Reality Behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
The recent comments by Geoff Keighley, host of The Game Awards, have sparked a heated debate in the gaming community. In a seemingly innocuous statement, Keighley mentioned that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a critically acclaimed game, was developed by a team of “under 30 developers.” However, this claim has been disputed by the game’s developers, who vehemently deny the accuracy of this statement. According to the developers, repeating this myth can have serious consequences, as it perpetuates a damaging stereotype that undermines the hard work and dedication of game developers.
The significance of this topic cannot be overstated. The gaming industry often struggles with issues of credibility, respect, and recognition. By spreading false information about the size and makeup of development teams, industry leaders like Keighley inadvertently contribute to a culture of skepticism and mistrust. This can have far-reaching implications, from influencing public perception of the industry to affecting the livelihoods of developers who work tirelessly to create engaging and immersive gaming experiences. Moreover, the myth of the “under 30 developer” reinforces the notion that game development is a trivial pursuit, rather than a complex and demanding craft that requires expertise and dedication.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve and grow, it’s essential that we prioritize accuracy, respect, and transparency. Developers, industry leaders, and media outlets must work together to promote a more nuanced understanding of the gaming industry. By doing so, we can create a more supportive and inclusive environment that values the hard work and contributions of game developers. As the gaming community, it’s time to challenge the status quo and demand better from ourselves and those we look up to. By speaking truth to power and promoting accuracy, we can build a more honest and respectful gaming industry that celebrates the creativity and passion of its developers.
