Clair Obscur Loses Indie Game Awards Wins After Gen AI Controversy
So, there’s been a major shake-up coming out of The Indie Game Awards this year, and it’s all centered around Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Just days after being celebrated as one of the biggest winners of the show, the game has now had its awards stripped away, and the reason has sparked a huge debate across the gaming community.
The Indie Game Awards took place on December 18, and at the time, everything looked like a clean sweep. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by Sandfall Interactive, was announced as both Game of the Year and Debut Game, marking a massive moment for the studio. But behind the scenes, concerns were already being raised, and shortly after the ceremony, things took a dramatic turn.
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It was officially announced by Six One Indie, the team behind The Indie Game Awards, that Clair Obscur had been disqualified due to the use of generative AI during development. According to their statement, the decision was made after voting had already been completed and the show itself had been recorded. The organizers emphasized that they maintain a strict stance against the use of generative AI throughout the nomination and award process.
What made the situation more complicated was that, when the game was initially submitted for consideration, representatives from Sandfall Interactive had reportedly agreed that no generative AI was used in the development of the game. However, on the day of the Indie Game Awards 2025 premiere, the use of gen AI was confirmed by the developer, which automatically violated the rules of eligibility. Because of that confirmation, the disqualification was enforced.
Six One Indie acknowledged the frustration surrounding the decision and thanked the community for its patience and feedback. They also pointed out that the awards show is run by a small team with ambitious goals, and that community support plays a big role in shaping its future. Despite the controversy, they made it clear that they are already looking ahead to the 2026 ceremony.
With Clair Obscur removed from the results, the awards were reassigned to the runner-up titles. The Debut Game award was handed to Sorry We’re Closed, while the prestigious Game of the Year title was awarded to Blue Prince.
As expected, the reaction from players and developers has been intense. Some feel the ruling was necessary to protect artistic integrity, while others argue that AI tools are becoming a normal part of development and that the punishment was too harsh. Regardless of where people stand, this decision has clearly ignited a wider conversation about how generative AI should be treated in creative industries, and it’s a discussion that doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon.
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