Veteran Game Developer Pushes Back on Claims That Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Is Better Than Elden Ring
The debate surrounding Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has intensified after the game surpassed a major milestone, winning more than 436 Game of the Year awards worldwide. This achievement places it ahead of the previous record holder, Elden Ring, which stood at 435 awards.
As a result, discussions have emerged across the gaming community about whether Expedition 33 should now be considered superior to Elden Ring.
Rich Vogel shares his perspective
The conversation gained additional attention after Rich Vogel, a veteran game developer and executive with over 25 years of experience in the industry, shared his personal opinion on LinkedIn.
Vogel congratulated Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on its impressive success and acknowledged its impact. However, he admitted that he personally finds it difficult to accept claims that Expedition 33 is better than Elden Ring, stating that he enjoyed Elden Ring more.
He described Elden Ring as an exceptional open world experience that provides players with genuine freedom. Unlike more guided designs seen in games such as Skyrim, Elden Ring allows players to move in any direction they choose, beginning the journey as the hunted and gradually evolving into the hunter through exploration, discovery, and mastery.
Industry voices respond
Following Vogel’s post, several professionals within the gaming industry joined the discussion. Some agreed with his stance, sharing the view that Elden Ring remains the stronger overall experience.
One particularly notable response came from Travis McGeathy, a professional game designer known for his work on Heroes of the Storm at Blizzard Entertainment. McGeathy offered a broader perspective on the nature of awards, stating that game awards do not determine which game is objectively better, just as the Academy Awards do not define which film is superior.
According to him, awards reflect what voters find most memorable at a given time, while personal taste remains subjective. What one person considers a Game of the Year contender may be completely unappealing to someone else.
A matter of personal preference
The discussion highlights a familiar truth within the gaming community. While awards and records can showcase a game’s cultural impact, they do not settle debates about quality or enjoyment.
With strong opinions on both sides, the question remains open. If given the choice between Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Elden Ring, which game would you choose?
