Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Disqualified From Indie Game Awards After AI Use Controversy

The Indie Game Awards has withdrawn two major awards from Clair Obscur : Expédition 33 after ruling that the game violated its policies on generative AI. The role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive originally won Game of the Year and Best Debut Game at the ceremony. The awards body later reversed those decisions after reviewing the game’s submission details and development history.

Selon le Kotaku, the controversy began when evidence showed that the studio used generative AI tools during early development. The Indie Game Awards enforces a strict rule that disqualifies any entry that relies on generative AI assets at any stage of production. This policy applies even if those assets never appear in the final release.

How the Disqualification Happened

Sandfall Interactive initially stated that the game did not use generative AI. The studio later clarified that it used AI-generated placeholder textures during early development. The team replaced those textures with hand-made assets before launch. Despite that explanation, the awards committee ruled that the initial use still broke eligibility rules.

As reported by PC Gamer, the committee focused heavily on disclosure accuracy. Organizers stated that incorrect or incomplete submissions undermine trust in the awards process. For that reason, they treated the case as a violation even though the final game contained no AI-generated assets.

Awards Reassigned and Community Reaction

After removing Clair Obscur from consideration, the Indie Game Awards reassigned the affected categories. Blue Prince received the Game of the Year award, while Sorry We’re Closed earned Best Debut Game. The organizers explained that consistent enforcement protects the credibility of the awards.

Reaction across the gaming community has remained divided. Some developers and players support the decision and argue that strict AI rules protect creative labor. Others believe the punishment went too far, given that AI content never shipped. Discussion highlighted by The Verge shows growing concern over how awards bodies define acceptable AI use as development tools evolve.

Why the Controversy Matters

The removal of Clair Obscur’s awards reflects a wider debate over generative AI in game development. Many studios already use machine learning tools for prototyping and internal testing. As these tools become more common, awards organizations face pressure to define clearer boundaries.

The situation also stands in contrast to Clair Obscur’s broader success. The game continues to receive praise and major recognition elsewhere, including high-profile wins at The Game Awards 2025. This case highlights the growing gap between commercial success, creative acclaim, and eligibility standards at independent award shows.