Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the breakout RPG from Sandfall Interactive, had its Game of the Year and Debut Game awards stripped hours after winning at the Indie Game Awards. The reversal comes after the studio confirmed it had used generative AI tools during production, a direct violation of the awards’ rules.
The Indie Game Awards require that no generative AI be used in nominated games. According to the awards’ official statement, Sandfall Interactive initially assured organizers that AI was not part of the development process. Once the studio confirmed AI usage on the day of the awards premiere, the nomination committee disqualified the game. Assets that relied on AI were patched out, but the violation remained.
With Expedition 33 disqualified, the awards were reallocated. Blue Prince was named Game of the Year, while Sorry We’re Closed won Debut Game. Acceptance speeches from both developers are expected to be released in early 2026, though they were not included in the recorded broadcast.
The controversy comes amid broader industry discussions about AI in game development. Larian CEO Swen Vincke recently highlighted that AI can help with tasks such as cleaning motion capture data and automatic retargeting. Developers across studios have acknowledged that AI tools, when used appropriately, can streamline production and reduce repetitive tasks, without replacing human creativity.
Clair Obscur’s COO François Meurisse previously told El País that AI was used sparingly, and emphasized that the team focused on creative decisions. Despite this, the awards body enforced its rules, underscoring the ongoing tension between innovation and traditional standards in the gaming industry.
For players and developers, the episode raises questions about how AI tools should be disclosed, the criteria for awards, and the broader implications for creativity in digital media. The debate also reveals how fragile public trust can be when industry rules clash with evolving technology.
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