The prestigious Indie Game Awards has taken the unprecedented step of stripping two awards from the acclaimed role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This decision came after the game's developer, Sandfall Interactive, admitted to using generative artificial intelligence in the title's development, despite previously denying its use during the nomination process.
The Awards Retraction and the AI Stance
The awards body announced on December 22, 2025, that it had retracted both the Game of the Year and Debut Game awards from the French RPG. The Indie Game Awards maintains a strict policy against the use of generative AI for any nominated project. In an official FAQ, the organisers stated that a Sandfall Interactive representative had initially confirmed no AI was used during submission.
This position changed dramatically on the day of the Indie Game Awards 2025 premiere, when the studio confirmed AI had indeed been part of its production pipeline. The organisers noted that while the AI-generated assets in question were later patched out and the game is 'wonderful', the admission directly contravened their regulations, leading to disqualification.
A Murky Industry Debate
This incident fuels an ongoing and complex conversation within the gaming industry about the ethical use of generative AI. While some studios, like Larian, have faced criticism, and major titles such as Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7 have been called out, the lines are often blurred. Common uses include creating placeholder assets or text, which are intended to be replaced later, as was the case with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and The Alters.
Although Sandfall has not specified which assets were AI-generated, players have speculated that in-game newspapers present at launch were likely created with AI tools. The studio's reversal on its initial statement significantly influenced the awards body's firm decision.
Consequences and New Winners
As a direct result of the disqualification, the Indie Game Awards Nomination Committee assigned new winners. Blue Prince was awarded Game of the Year, while Sorry We’re Closed took home the prize for Debut Game.
The controversy raises questions about the game's future in other award ceremonies, such as the BAFTA Game Awards in April 2026. Notably, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 had previously achieved significant success, winning a record-breaking nine prizes at The Game Awards 2025, which does not currently have rules governing AI use.
The full list of winners for the Indie Game Awards 2025, which took place on December 18, was published following the decision.
