Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Stripped Of indie Game Awards 2025 Wins Following Controversy Over
Indie Game Awards 2025: Clair Obscur Stripped Of Titles Over Generative AI Controversy The critically acclaimed RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been stripped of its major wins at the Indie Game Awards 2025 following a confirmed violation of the ceremony's strict zero-tolerance policy regarding generative AI. Despite winning both Game of the Year and Best Debut Game on December 18, the awards were retracted just two days later by organizers Six One Indie. The controversy stems from a reveal that Sandfall Interactive used AI-generated placeholder textures during early development—an detail that was reportedly not disclosed when the game was initially submitted for consideration. While the developers at Sandfall Interactive clarified that the AI assets were merely temporary "visual building blocks" replaced by human-made art within five days of the game's launch, the Indie Game Awards committee maintained a hard stance. They stated that the studio had previously agreed that no generative AI was used at any stage of production. The confirmation of its use during the ceremony's premiere triggered an immediate disqualification, as the organizers emphasized that their regulations prohibit AI involvement throughout the entire nomination and development process to protect human artistry. As a result of the disqualification, the major titles have been reassigned to the runners-up in each category. The coveted Game of the Year award now belongs to Dogubomb’s puzzle-adventure Blue Prince, while the Best Debut Game title has been awarded to Sorry We’re Closed by à la mode games. The move has sparked intense debate within the gaming community, with some fans calling the revocation "unjust" given the game's high quality, while others praised the awards show for upholding ethical standards in the face of the industry's growing reliance on generative tools. #ClairObscur #Expedition33 #IndieGameAwards #BluePrince #GameOfTheYear #AIGaming #GamingNews #IndieDev #SixOneIndie
