The Indie Game Awards has disqualified Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from its previously awarded titles of Game of the Year and Debut Game due to the revelation that generative AI was actually used in its development. The game's developer, Sandfall Interactive, had incorrectly stated that no AI-generated art was involved, leading to the retraction of the awards after the nomination committee was informed post-award ceremony. As a result, Sorry We’re Closed will now take the Debut Game title, while Blue Prince will receive Game of the Year. Despite the controversy, Clair Obscur has achieved significant commercial success, surpassing 5 million copies sold globally.

Why was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 disqualified from the Indie Game Awards?

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was disqualified due to the use of generative AI in its development, which was initially denied by the developer, Sandfall Interactive. This breach of regulations regarding the use of AI art led the Indie Game Awards to revoke its titles.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an indie adventure game celebrated for its captivating narrative and artistic style. Released in April 2025, it quickly garnered a following, aided by its global sales success and critical acclaim. The game capitalizes on unique storytelling and engaging gameplay mechanics, which contributed to its recognition in the gaming community prior to the controversy. The scandal highlights ongoing debates in the gaming industry regarding the ethical use of AI in game development.