Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida recently revealed that he advised the developers of the popular indie game Clair Obscur to avoid calling it a ‘turn-based RPG’ in their marketing efforts. According to Yoshida, this was because the term ‘turn-based RPG’ often carries a negative connotation, implying a slow-paced and unengaging gameplay experience.

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In a lecture at the Busan Indie Connect Festival 2026, Yoshida shared his experience with the Clair Obscur developers. He had been impressed by a demo of the game a couple of years before its release and had even compared it to his own game, The Legend of Dragoon, which he produced. However, he cautioned the developers that calling the game a ‘turn-based RPG’ might cause players to overlook it.

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Yoshida’s advice was heeded, and the developers at Sandfall Interactive started describing Clair Obscur’s combat as ‘reactive turn-based battles’ in their marketing. While it’s hard to say whether this actually had an impact on the game’s success, it’s likely that it didn’t hurt. Clair Obscur went on to sell 3.3 million copies in its first month and has since surpassed 8 million copies sold as of April.

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Interestingly, Yoshida believes that Clair Obscur’s success is a great example of why chasing industry trends isn’t always the right move. He notes that publishers have started to see a slew of turn-based games pitched to them in the wake of Clair Obscur’s explosive success. This suggests that the game’s unique blend of turn-based combat and fast-paced action has helped to revive interest in the turn-based genre.

Clair Obscur’s success has also highlighted the importance of accurately describing a game’s mechanics in its marketing. Yoshida’s advice to avoid calling the game a ‘turn-based RPG’ was based on his understanding of the genre’s stigma, but it’s also possible that the game’s unique combat mechanics don’t fit neatly into the traditional turn-based RPG mold. Regardless, the game’s success is a testament to the power of innovative game design and the importance of accurately communicating a game’s features to potential players.

Yoshida’s comments also shed light on the tendency for many games in the turn-based genre to appeal only to a niche audience. He notes that the genre often carries a negative connotation, implying a slow-paced and unengaging gameplay experience. However, Clair Obscur’s success suggests that this is not necessarily the case, and that turn-based games can be fast-paced and engaging as well.

In conclusion, Shuhei Yoshida’s advice to the Clair Obscur developers is a valuable lesson for game developers and marketers alike. By avoiding the negative connotations associated with the term ‘turn-based RPG,’ Clair Obscur was able to attract a wider audience and achieve significant commercial success. This highlights the importance of accurately describing a game’s mechanics in its marketing and the potential for innovative game design to break down genre boundaries.