The more options players have to tweak their builds, the quicker they’ll uncover the underlying mechanics of your game. This was a key takeaway for the developers of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Sandfall Interactive, as shared in a recent YouTube discussion with Pirate Software. Game director Guillaume Broche recounted how his team organized a light-hearted competition during development to determine which developer could inflict the most damage in a single attack. However, the moment the game launched, that studio record was shattered within a week.

“The players broke it in like, one week,” said Broche.

In the ongoing saga, VFX artist Léo Paris emerges as the reigning champion at Sandfall, likened to the character Vegeta in a gaming rivalry that has blossomed online, as noted by Art Director Nicholas Maxson-Francombe.

“Someone took the throne online and now he’s engaging with him on Twitter,” Broche explained, indicating a playful competition that is escalating on social media.

Fan engagements reached new heights when BltzZ11 posted a stunning damage record of 410.9 million, prompting challenges and playful repartees among players and developers alike. As these records unfold, the spirit of friendly rivalry enhances the game’s community engagement while reinforcing its mechanics—the sign of successful game design.