Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, recently awarded Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025, has faced controversy as the Indie Game Awards has revoked two of its honors due to the use of generative AI in its development. The game launched with placeholder textures made from generative AI, which were later removed within five days of release. Sandfall Interactive, the game's developer, came under scrutiny after comments from co-founder François Meurisse were rediscovered, suggesting the studio experimented with AI tools. The Indie Game Awards confirmed the retraction of awards, citing a strict policy against the use of AI in nominated games. As the debate around AI's role in gaming continues, other developers have also faced backlash for their AI practices, further igniting discussions about the future of game development.

What happened to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's awards?

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lost its Game of the Year and Debut Game awards from the Indie Game Awards due to the discovery that placeholder textures made with generative AI were used in the game's development, violating the awards' strict regulations against AI usage.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands out in the gaming industry as a record-breaking RPG from Sandfall Interactive. Since its launch in April 2025, it garnered both critical and commercial success for its innovative gameplay and rich storytelling. However, its rise has been shadowed by the ongoing controversy regarding generative AI use in game development, which is a hot topic as more game studios explore AI tools to enhance creativity and efficiency.