The 2025 TGA Awards, often dubbed the "Oscars of Gaming," concluded with a historic triumph for "Light & Shadow: Expedition 33" (abbreviated as "Expedition 33"). The game clinched nine accolades, including Game of the Year, Best Narrative, and Best Art Direction, setting a record for the most wins in a single TGA ceremony. French President Emmanuel Macron publicly congratulated the achievement on social media.

Reports indicate that Kepler Interactive, the game's publisher, received strategic investment from NetEase (09999, NTES.US) as early as 2021. This victory marks a significant milestone in NetEase's overseas investment strategy. Industry analysts attribute the game's sweeping success to its innovative development approach and robust publishing support.

"Expedition 33" captivated global players and judges with its meticulous "focused creation" philosophy, allocating 90% of resources to three core experiences: combat feedback, cinematography, and musical storytelling. The TGA jury praised its cinematic narrative density and artistic expression, stating it "redefines the boundaries of narrative-driven games."

Notably, Kepler Interactive operates under a "developer-governed" model, where founders from its seven studios form a decision-making committee, jointly holding equity and retaining full creative autonomy. Beyond "Expedition 33," Kepler has a track record of delivering critically acclaimed titles, such as the martial arts game "Sifu," which earned multiple TGA 2022 nominations, including Best Action Game and Best Independent Game.

With its groundbreaking success at TGA 2025, "Expedition 33" has drawn worldwide attention. President Macron hailed it as a shining example of French creativity, while TGA officials noted its record-breaking 12 nominations—the most in the awards' history.