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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id Software, the studio behind Doom, has voted in favor of forming a “wall-to-wall” union, a structure that covers every employee across the company. While not unanimous, a majority supported the unionization effort, signaling a notable shift in the video game industry’s labor landscape.
The new union will partner with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), which has previously worked with parent company ZeniMax on union initiatives. Microsoft, ZeniMax’s owner, has already recognized the effort, following a labor neutrality agreement made last year with CWA and ZeniMax employees.
“The wall-to-wall organizing effort at id Software was much needed; it’s incredibly important that developers across the industry unite to push back on all the unilateral workplace changes that are being handed down from industry executives,” said Andrew Willis, id Software producer and CWA committee member.
Key priorities for the union include protecting remote work policies. “Remote work isn’t a perk. It’s a necessity for our health, our families, and our access needs,” said Chris Hays, Lead Services Programmer at id Software. Hays also emphasized the importance of worker protections regarding the “responsible use of AI” in game development.
Workers began organizing roughly 18 months ago, a process accelerated by the mid-year closure of several Bethesda studios by Microsoft. CWA Local 6215 President Ron Swaggerty expressed optimism about negotiations, stating, “We look forward to sitting across the table from Microsoft to negotiate a contract that reflects the skill, creativity, and dedication these workers bring to every project.”
id Software’s latest title, Doom: The Dark Ages, recently won an accessibility award at The Game Awards, highlighting the studio’s commitment to inclusive gaming. The unionization marks a significant moment for the gaming industry, signaling growing momentum for labor rights in a sector historically resistant to organized labor.
This move is part of a broader trend in tech and gaming, where employees increasingly challenge top-down executive decisions and advocate for transparency, inclusion, and worker protections.
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