Austin Wintory turned Clair Obscur monologue into a Balatro gag

Composer Austin Wintory returned to the Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco on Tuesday to conduct his third annual concert of game music. The program paid homage to favorite pieces from across the medium while nodding to 2025's biggest hits. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 had several songs featured near the end, and actors Ben Starr and Jennifer English made a special appearance to perform a conversation between their characters Verso and Maelle.

Wintory then undercut the scene as part of a running bit about how music shapes a moment. He began with a melancholy Clair Obscur piece before abruptly shifting into the synthy, late-night lounge vibes of poker deckbuilder Balatro. Starr, who had played Balatro mascot Jimbo in a live-action commercial, ended up in a "congratulations, you've played yourself" moment.

Starr and English were clearly in on the joke.

austin wintory, gdc, san francisco, clair obscur, expedition 33, balatro, ben starr, jennifer english, game music, jimbo