The team behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has stepped up to alert fans about counterfeit merchandise circulating online. The fake plushies, advertised with AI-generated images, have sparked concern as the game’s popularity continues to soar.
Released in April 2025, Expedition 33 quickly gained a reputation as one of the highest-rated games ever, available on PS5, Xbox, and PC, including Xbox Game Pass. Its turn-based RPG style and memorable characters have drawn a passionate fanbase eager for collectibles.
On May 14, the developers took to X (formerly Twitter) to call out suspicious websites claiming to sell plushies of Esquie, a favorite NPC from the game. They emphasized that these third-party sellers are not officially licensed, and many use AI-generated artwork to promote their products.
“We’ve noticed a number of suspicious websites popping up, claiming to sell Esquie plushies,” the devs wrote. “Many of them are using AI-generated artwork to advertise, and we strongly recommend against purchasing from these sources. They could be scams.”
To counter the flood of fake merchandise, the developers shared plans to create official Esquie plushies and asked fans to be patient while they work on bringing authentic products to market.
“We are looking into making official Esquie plushies, and we want to bring them to you as soon as we can. In the meantime, please be patient — and don’t get scammed!” they added.
We’ve noticed a number of suspicious websites popping up, claiming to sell Esquie plushies. This makes us whooo.
To be clear: any third-party websites selling Esquie plushies are NOT officially licensed. Many of them are using AI-generated artwork to advertise, and we strongly…
— Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (@expedition33) May 14, 2025
Among the game’s standout characters is Verso, voiced by Ben Starr, known for his work on Final Fantasy XVI and Balatro. The growing fandom around these characters only fuels the demand for authentic collectibles.
With the devs actively addressing the issue, fans should avoid buying from unofficial sources to avoid scams. The promise of official plushies is a bright spot for those who want to celebrate their favorite NPCs without the risk.
What do you think about the fake merch situation? Have you spotted any suspicious listings yourself? Drop your thoughts below and let’s talk about it.
