Mondays are Judgment Day in the UK gaming industry, as GfK releases the physical sales data. Today's report (December 15, 2025) contains a historic upset: For the second consecutive week, the artistic, turn-based RPG 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33' has outsold juggernauts like Call of Duty and EA Sports FC 26 to retain the No. 1 spot. This is unprecedented in December, a month traditionally ruled by shooters and sports sims. In this Tekin Plus analysis, we examine why gamer tastes have shifted and how the recent Witcher 4 leak triggered a bizarre resurgence for The Witcher 3.
1. Introduction: Breaking Tradition in the Heart of London There is an unwritten rule in the video game industry: "December belongs to Call of Duty and FIFA (now FC)." For decades, in the weeks leading
up to Christmas, the UK sales charts—widely regarded as the trendsetter for the European market—have been dominated by high-octane shooters and football simulators. Gamers, the logic went, wanted quick,
multiplayer experiences during the holidays. But this morning's report from GfK (Growth from Knowledge) proved that 2025 is the year clichés die. For the first time in modern gaming history, a single-player,
narrative-focused, Turn-Based RPG has managed to become the best-selling game during the busiest shopping month of the year. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 didn't just hold the top spot; it widened the gap
against its competitors, signaling a seismic shift in consumer behavior. 2. The Official GfK Top 10 (UK Boxed Charts) Before we analyze the trends, let's look at the raw data. (Note: These figures represent
physical boxed sales, though digital data is expected to mirror this trend). Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2nd Week at No.1 🔼) Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (No Change ➖) EA Sports FC 26 (Down 🔽) Marvel’s
Cosmic Invasion (New Entry 🆕) Super Mario Wonder 2 (Stable ➖) The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition (Re-entry 🔼) Grand Theft Auto V (The Immortal ➖) Elden Ring: Nightreign Edition (Up 🔼) Hogwarts
Legacy 2 (Down 🔽) Just Dance 2026 (Seasonal Entry 🆕) 3. The Clair Obscur Phenomenon: Art Over Service 3.1. Why a Turn-Based RPG Conquered December When French studio Sandfall Interactive first revealed
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