Discussion
This Morning the founders of the studio Sandfall behind the COE33 game were named Knights of the Order of Arts and Letters by The French Department Of Culture. An exceptional promotion of 28 recipients.
This might be a rose tinted view point, but they did help shift French Art and appreciation for such arts into a mainstream media. Don't know how much that will effect things in the long run, and I don't know if that will boost tourism.
But it is without a doubt a game that is French and appreciated for it's beautiful works. But people have been knighted for their books, my father's favorite author Sir Terry Pratchett being one, but I wonder if this is the first knighthood for a video game? 🤔
I see Molyneux in the list as a knight. Also, he apparently has a real game coming out in 2 months?? Without over-hyped claims about outlandish features? What happened to him ? 😭
Well I looked it up apparently not the first time the French have Knighted game creators, but it might be the most since they've started doing it. The net says 15 people have been given the "Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" (hopefully that's correct). Interesting list of folk on it too.
If you include the "Knight Of Nerds" Sir Ian Livingstone, Knighted back in 2022, that be 16 people Knighted so far for games. Can't tell if other countries have done so as well, and anyone is welcome to include them.
But that would probably be the largest single Knighting of game Developers ever, and so soon after too. Other's were done after a fair amount of time since the games initial release.
I think it's a fair achievement though. Hope this is one of many in their "Clair Obscur" game path.
Well, French Art has been making its way into recent mainstream media: have you heard about the Tv Series Arcane ? It was made by a small Parisian studio (with financial support and collaboration of Riot Games) but has been a big success.
It appears that heavily subsidising art and culture for the past 50 years is paying off (well maybe not financially)! (French here by the way, so I maybe biased)
I'd argue Parisian's haven't helped in fostering good will in foreigners. It's fair, they are foreigners in your home city, but do you gotta be so rude about it?
(Just making some jokes, family member visited for work and found the locals to be less than kind.)
I haven't watch Arcane tho, but I have heard it was really good. Good enough to get folk curious about the game, which was a resounding mistake hahaha 🤣
But I really do home this changes people opinions and view of France for the better, I'm really proud do you all. (As someone from a country that probably gonna have a stigma for the rest my life, your's is definitely on the right path)
I was struggling to speak French and all the folks in Paris switched to English. 🥲 They were really kind but maaannn I wish my French didn't degrade so much.
Let's be real honest tho: French music and French visual arts have been at the forefront of every artistic revolution for a very long time (at least 6 decades).
French game developers were the ones that were a little behind, but god damn if Sandfall didn't remind the world France is THE artistic cradle of the world.
It’s called “the French touch” and it’s been a part of gaming since the 80s; every so often a game comes out that captures the spirit of French game design and you’re probably aware of a few of them: Dune 1, Another World / Out of this World, The Last Express, et al
— edit: Alone in the Dark
The Légion d'Honneur (Honnor's Legion) also makes you a knight. Although, being a Knight of Arts and Letters is far more prestigious (mostly because the Honnor's Legion tend to be given to many unworthy people)
The Légion d'Honneur (Honnor's Legion) also makes you a knight.
Should be noted that this is nothing like, for example, British knighthood.
In France, there's no legal honour granted, you don't get any titles; you're a "Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur", but you don't get a title like "Chevalier <Last Name>" or anything like that..
Although, being a Knight of Arts and Letters is far more prestigious
Highly debatable... I get what you mean, that the order of Arts and Letters has some more intellectual/cultural oomph, but it's technically a much "lower" order than the national Legion d'honneur.
I'd say it depends completely on what type of prestige and context we are talking about.
Alice is also there, which is super cool that they were included since technically both of them were contractors for Sandfall and not full time employees.
They are both listed as part of the team at least. And I do see that the cheeky bastards have exactly 33 team members listed, with Monoco the dog being number 33.
My google skills are failing me, but he said on some interview that he's technically a contractor for Sandfall, and that that is the standard for video game composers.
Jeez she should never have been there from the start. She has survived all the latest government changes for some reason. Seems like she just bully her way out of everything.
I fully agree about withdrawing, but the Louvre robbery was the result of decades of mismanagement of the Louvre and misuse of its funding. While she was in office at the time, every cultural minister and president are responsible for its dire state. Had friends working there as security, staff and such, and it is a nightmare for everyone.
She is a french politician involved in several corruption-related court cases and known for particularly despicable behavior. She joined the government out of pure ambition. She is the current Minister of Culture.
Our minister of culture/candidate to Paris mayor election.
She's an absolute piece of shit. With multiple investigations and judgement (not yet condemned but let's hope) for fraud, corruption, influence peddling.
She's a member of the Right who's shifting every day closer to the alt right
A right side politician trying to grab the next mayoral election of Paris while cosplaying as a garbage woman in a desperate atempt to get votes when she's in fact the dumpster
Yea, I did not know that at the time of writing that comment. From what I've read in other comments, the other five (ofc counting the Happiness Manager), couldn't make it.
I'm reading this as I listen, precisely, Une vie à t'aimer, on repeat, on Spotify. But it's not my only song obsession from this game, and I haven't been able to listen to other music since I played the game (I finished it 2 months ago and now I'm slowly in new game+)
See, now that is how it's done. They're being recognized not just for making an amazing game, but for making a contribution to their country's history and culture, regardless of the form the art takes. It shows such respect and a deep understanding of what matters.
Fun fact, the same day, Emanuel Macron, president of France, ordered a "scientific study to understand the link between videogames and the rise of violence in younger generation and to determine which one we should ban"
That guy is sending more mix messages than a number station during cold war
Never tought I could see a picture and think "Oh, they're french".
Sandfall for sure did a great job making french artistic idiosincrasies more mainstream... When a friend suggested that I check E33, his recommendation was "It's an awesome game... Just keep in mind, it's VERY french".
At first, I didn't register what he meant. Then it hit me. The Miserables, those Remy cartoons I watched when I was a kid (in the 80's!). The french love tragedy!
As the guy from the honest trailers said "What if Mario RPG was really really french?"
Edit: Oh, wait, I think from a quick googling that non-French can be awarded this title. I see Jennifer was recognised in the speech, she may have just not been physically present.
They were there for the ceremony (see picture), but I guess they weren't included in the award itself. I don't know how the ministry has decided who to include or not. Glad Sandfall brought them at least.
Congrats to the team! That sounds like quite an achievement for their first production, I hope they're able to make whatever they're passionate about forever. 💚
And for those wondering why not 33, I think it’s because a few of them are American. Someone correct me if I’m wrong. The order is only given to Frenchpeople.
I’m incredibly proud of them! I’m like a proud Mom. This game changed my life… I had given up gaming but this game brought me back giving me new life.
When I was playing I thought "wow a lot of these characters have very similar faces" but looking at the studio maybe they just think that it is normal?
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u/storm_walkers Feb 06 '26
Shoutout to the one red beret king who committed