Indie Game Awards strips Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 of titles over GenAI use

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is getting awards from all sides, but something unexpected happened to two of them. Although the game was awarded the Debut Game and Game of the Year awards over at the Indie Game Awards on December 18th, Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been retroactively disqualified from these accolades due to the use of genAI, violating the ceremony's strict eligibility criteria.

The disqualification comes just days after the title secured both awards on December 18th. According to a formal statement from the committee (via Eurogamer), the move was triggered when Sandfall Interactive confirmed the use of generative AI assets on the awards premiere. This disclosure reportedly contradicted earlier declarations made during the submission process, where representatives had allegedly stated that no such tools were used in the creation of the RPG.

Six One Indie has maintained a public firm position against the integration of generative AI within independent projects, citing it as a core factor in their nomination vetting process. While reports suggest that the AI-generated assets in question were limited to placeholder textures that were subsequently removed after the game's April launch, the organisers clarified that any use of these tools renders a title ineligible. The committee noted that while Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 remains a high-quality production, the breach of regulations left them with no choice but to retract the honours to preserve the integrity of the awards.

As a result of the disqualification, the awards have been passed down to the respective runners-up in each category. The puzzle-adventure title Blue Prince has now been officially named the Indie Game Awards' Game of the Year 2025. Similarly, the Debut Game trophy has been awarded to Sorry We’re Closed, the survival horror title.

Sandfall Interactive has yet to issue a detailed public rebuttal regarding the discrepancy in their submission claims.

KitGuru says: Do you agree with the Indie Game Awards committee decision? What's your take on using genAI in games?

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