Indie Game Awards disqualify Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 after generative AI controversy

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 had a big night at the Indie Game Awards. The game won both Game of the Year and Debut Game, which are two of the biggest awards at the event. For a studio like Sandfall Interactive, this was a huge moment. However, the celebration did not last long.

Shortly after the awards ceremony, controversy started to spread around the game after Sandfall Interactive confirmed that generative AI was used during the development of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The Indie Game Awards have very strict rules when it comes to generative AI, and those rules were broken. Because of this, they have decided to take back both awards. 

The Indie Game Awards released a statement explaining their decision, in which they made it clear that they do not allow the use of generative AI at any stage of development for games that are submitted for consideration. When Clair Obscur was first submitted for the awards, Sandfall Interactive had agreed that no generative AI was used in the project. Because of that agreement, the game was allowed to compete and was later chosen as a winner.

“The Indie Game Awards have a hard stance on the use of gen AI throughout the nomination process and during the ceremony itself. When it was submitted for consideration, representatives of Sandfall Interactive agreed that no gen AI was used in the development of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.” 

However, on the same day the Indie Game Awards 2025 took place, the game’s producer, François Meurisse, confirmed that some generative AI had been used during production. Even though those assets were later removed through patches, the awards committee stated that this still goes against their rules. Because of this, they decided the game could no longer remain eligible. 

“In light of Sandfall Interactive confirming the use of gen AI art in production on the day of the Indie Game Awards 2025 premiere, this does disqualify Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from its nomination. While the assets in question were patched out and it is a wonderful game, it does go against the regulations we have in place. As a result, the IGAs nomination committee has agreed to officially retract both the Debut Game and Game of the Year awards.”

Now that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is out of the picture, the awards will go to the runner-ups, with Sorry We’re Closed taking the Debut Game award and Blue Prince winning Gamer of the Year.