Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Disqualified from Indie Game Awards for Generative AI Usage

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Generative AI Controversy Leads to Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Disqualification from Indie Game Awards

On December 18, 2025, the Independent Game Awards ceremony was set to award ClearDark Expedition 33 and its studio, Sandfall Interactive, Game of the Year and Best Debut Game, respectively. However, Sandfall Interactive’s admission on the same day that they used generative AI in developing Clair Obscur Expedition 33 led to the game’s immediate disqualification. The Indie Game Awards maintain a strict policy against the use of generative AI during both the nomination process and the ceremony. Six One Indie, the organizing body, rescinded the awards after the voting and recording. Sandfall Interactive had initially assured members during the submission process that no generative AI was used. However, the studio retracted this claim, resulting in the disqualification. This decision directly impacted the awards, with Sorry Were Closed now winning Best Debut Game and Blue Prince named Game of the Year for 2025. This incident will likely spark further debate regarding AI regulation in video game creation, developer transparency, and studio accountability during contest submissions. Swen Vincke, founder of Larian Studios, added to this discussion by acknowledging the use of generative AI tools in certain internal production phases of Divinity.

AI Usage in Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Sparks Ethical Debate at Indie Game Awards

Clair Obscur Expedition 33, released on April 24, 2025, initially drew criticism from players who identified AI-generated textures in billboards. Sandfall Interactive addressed this by replacing the elements in a later update, without commenting initially. Later, in a July interview with El Pais, the game’s producer, Francois Meurisse, acknowledged the use of AI, though critics requested more specific details. Guillaume Broche, the game’s creative director, clarified further in an interview with 3DJuegos, stating that AI was not involved in the game’s creative aspects and emphasizing the team’s artistic investment. He conceded that AI could be acceptable for technical or logistical aspects, such as managing certain processes or creating placeholder elements, provided the game functioned correctly. The organization thanked the community for their patience and feedback, emphasizing that despite this incident, the Indie Game Awards remain a small team with significant ambitions. The event underscores the increasing difficulty for juries to uphold consistent ethical standards in a rapidly evolving technological landscape where AI tools are common, while still preserving the integrity and value of human creative effort.

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