Indie Game Awards Revokes Clair Obscur Awards Over AI Use

The Indie Game Awards has revoked two major honors from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 following confirmation of generative AI use in its production. Developer Sandfall Interactive employed AI for placeholder textures, with some persisting in the final release despite QA efforts.

This decision aligns with the awards' strict policy prohibiting any generative AI involvement, rendering affected titles ineligible. The revocation occurred after initial awards were presented, prompting a reassignment to runner-up entries.

Despite the controversy, Clair Obscur achieved notable success elsewhere, including multiple wins at The Game Awards and robust sales figures. The incident underscores ongoing debates in indie gaming regarding AI's role in creative processes.

The Indie Game Awards announced the disqualification of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from its Game of the Year and Debut Game categories on December 18, 2025, coinciding with the premiere event.

This action followed Sandfall Interactive's confirmation of generative AI usage during development. The awards organization emphasized adherence to its FAQ, which declares games using generative AI as strictly ineligible for nominations.

Prior to the event, Sandfall Interactive had submitted documentation affirming no generative AI was involved in the game's creation.

Official Statement

The organization issued a clear rationale for the decision, highlighting the breach despite the game's quality.

Sandfall Interactive utilized generative AI specifically for creating placeholder textures during the development of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. These assets were intended for temporary use and slated for removal before final release.

However, a limited number of these AI-generated textures evaded the quality assurance process and appeared in the shipped version of the game. The developer subsequently patched out the affected assets.

This revelation came to light through public discussions, including observations noted in online posts from April 2025, pointing to specific textures in the game.

• AI applied to placeholder elements only
• Intended full removal prior to launch
• Some instances persisted post-release
• Post-launch patches addressed the issue

Following the disqualification, the Indie Game Awards reassigned the honors to the second-highest scoring entries in each category. Blue Prince now holds the title of Game of the Year, while Sorry We're Closed receives Debut Game.

Six One Indie, the company overseeing the awards ceremony, identified the AI usage on the day of the winners' announcement. The initial awards had been presented the previous week.

This reassignment process ensures compliance with eligibility rules, maintaining the integrity of the event.

1. Review of submission and confirmation details
2. Verification against FAQ guidelines
3. Award transfer to eligible runners-up

Despite the revocation at the Indie Game Awards, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 enjoyed a triumphant showing at The Game Awards earlier in December 2025. The title secured victories in nearly every category it was nominated for, including Game of the Year.

Sandfall Interactive reported sales of 5 million copies by October 2025, a figure expected to have grown substantially since. The game has been recognized among the top titles of 2025.

This controversy highlights tensions in the indie sector over generative AI tools, yet Clair Obscur's achievements affirm its artistic and commercial impact.

Implications for Indie Development

The incident reinforces the awards' commitment to human-driven creativity, potentially influencing future submissions and AI policies across the industry. Developers must navigate evolving guidelines to avoid similar outcomes, balancing innovation with eligibility requirements.

In conclusion, while the disqualification marks a setback, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 remains a standout in 2025 gaming, demonstrating resilience amid regulatory scrutiny.