Why This Case Matters
The Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 case has become one of the most discussed instances of AI use in video games, not only due to the controversy itself but because of its context: a universally acclaimed game that won historic awards at The Game Awards 2025, facing a subsequent disqualification at another ceremony for violating anti-AI policies. The debate reignited important conversations about transparency, creative processes, and “red lines” in the industry.
The Game and Its Initial Success
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an artistic RPG developed by French studio Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive. Released on April 24, 2025, the game combines turn-based combat with real-time action mechanics (dodges, parries, QTEs) in a fantasy world inspired by Belle Époque France.
Critical and Commercial Reception
The game was a resounding success with both critics and audiences:
- The Game Awards 2025: Won 9 awards out of 13 nominations (historic record), including Game of the Year, Best Indie Game, Best RPG, Best Art Direction, Best Score, Best Narrative, Best Game Direction, Best Performance, and Best Debut Indie Game
- Metacritic: “Universal acclaim” with the highest user score of all time
- OpenCritic: 97% critic recommendation
- Steam: “Overwhelmingly Positive” with 95% positive reviews from over 100,000 users
- Sales: Over 5 million copies sold by October 2025
Professional reviews consistently praised:
- Innovative combat system blending turn-based with real-time action
- Unique art direction and melancholic atmosphere
- Emotional narrative and exceptional voice performances (featuring actors like Charlie Cox, Jennifer English, Andy Serkis, Ben Starr)
- Outstanding soundtrack by Lorien Testard and Alice Duport-Percier
The Generative AI Controversy
Timeline of Events
Before Launch (2022-2025):
- During development, some team members briefly experimented with generative AI tools in 2022 to create temporary placeholder textures
- In an interview with El País, producer François Meurisse mentioned that “some AI” had been used in development, though without specifying details
Post-Launch (April 2025):
- Some players detected textures and in-game posters with characteristics typical of generative AI
- Less than a week after launch, the studio released a hotfix replacing those textures with hand-made assets
- The studio admitted these were AI-generated content used as placeholders that should not have been included in the final version
Indie Game Awards 2025 (December 2025):
- The game was nominated for and won two awards: Game of the Year and Debut Game
- During the submission process, a Sandfall Interactive representative confirmed in writing that they had not used generative AI in development
- On December 18, the day of the ceremony, François Meurisse publicly confirmed that generative AI had indeed been used at some point in the production process
Indie Game Awards Policy
The Indie Game Awards, organized by Six One Indie, have a strict and clear policy on generative AI:
“The Indie Game Awards have a hard stance on the use of gen AI throughout the nomination process and during the ceremony itself.”
The rules establish that:
- Games cannot have used generative AI in any part of their creation
- If generative AI was used at any stage of development, the game becomes “strictly ineligible”
- This policy applies even if AI-generated content was subsequently replaced and is not in the final product
Award Revocation and Reassignment
Following Meurisse’s public confirmation on the day of the ceremony, the Indie Game Awards committee:
- Disqualified Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from all its nominations
- Formally revoked the Debut Game and Game of the Year awards
- Reassigned the awards to the next highest-ranked games:
- Game of the Year: Blue Prince (by Dogubomb)
- Debut Game: Sorry We’re Closed (by A la Mode Games)
In their official statement, Six One Indie declared:
“When Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was submitted for consideration, representatives of Sandfall Interactive agreed that no gen AI was used in the development of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. In light of Sandfall Interactive confirming the use of gen AI on the day of the Indie Game Awards 2025 premiere, this does disqualify Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from its nomination.”
The committee acknowledged that the game “is wonderful,” but insisted that the rules are absolute: the mere presence of generative AI at any stage of production, combined with an initial declaration denying such use, is sufficient for disqualification.
Community Reactions
The disqualification generated divided reactions in the gaming and developer community:
Those Supporting the Decision Argue:
- Transparency: The studio signed clear conditions during submission stating they did not use generative AI, when they actually did
- Rule Integrity: Awards must defend 100% human work without making exceptions “because the game is good”
- Fairness: It would be unfair to teams that followed the rules to allow a violator to win
- Principle Over Outcome: The policy prohibits use at any stage, not just in the final product
Those Considering the Measure Excessive Point Out:
- Limited Context: The AI assets were few, secondary, temporary, and already replaced in the awarded final product
- Gray Area: Many studios use tools with AI components (upscalers, code assistants) without clear lines between allowed and prohibited
- Proportionality: It seems more like a symbolic gesture than a real defense of artists
- Punishing Honesty: Some argue the producer’s honesty in publicly admitting it was penalized more than the act itself
- Double Standard: They suggest less visible projects might be using AI without being detected or sanctioned
Fan Perspective
Despite the controversy, many players consider Expedition 33 their favorite game of 2025. Reactions range from:
- Passionate defense of the game and criticism of the disqualification as “unjust”
- Frustration with what they perceive as disproportionate punishment
- Support for the awards’ decision to defend their principles
It’s important to note that there exists a small minority of negative criticism (mainly in specialized forums) questioning aspects like excessive QTE use, exploration linearity, or personal preferences about combat. However, these represent a very small fraction compared to the overwhelmingly positive reception documented on Metacritic, Steam, and OpenCritic.
Impact and Consequences
For Sandfall Interactive
The disqualification means:
- Loss of Visibility: The GOTY and Best Debut seals in the indie circuit are valuable free marketing
- Reputational Damage: They’re associated as “the game disqualified for AI,” though the product is acclaimed
- Paradox: The game holds the record for awards at The Game Awards while being disqualified from other ceremonies
For the Industry
The case is already being used as a reference point in several important debates:
1. Definition of AI Policies in Competitions:
- Should all AI use be prohibited, without exceptions?
- Is it allowed at certain development stages or with certain tools?
- Does only the final game content matter?
2. Transparency vs. Consequences:
- How to encourage honesty without incentivizing studios to hide AI use out of fear?
- Do current policies promote transparency or opacity?
3. Definition of “Generative AI Use”:
- Where’s the line between AI-assisted tools (upscaling, denoising, code completion) and AI-generated content?
- Should all forms of AI be treated equally?
4. Proportionality of Sanctions:
- Should there be distinction between extensive use vs. minimal temporary placeholder use?
- Does it matter if AI-generated content was removed before or after launch?
Sandfall Interactive’s Statement
According to reports, when the team experimented with AI in 2022, it was to generate temporary placeholder textures. The studio has emphasized that:
- The use was brief and experimental
- Placeholder textures were not intended to be in the final version
- They were removed within the first five days post-launch via a patch
- Final assets were always created by human artists
The problem is that, despite this, generative AI use occurred during the development process, technically violating Indie Game Awards rules, regardless of the content being temporary.
Conclusion
The Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 case illustrates the complexities and tensions surrounding AI use in video game development. A game that achieved the highest possible critical and commercial success in 2025 finds itself simultaneously celebrated (The Game Awards) and disqualified (Indie Game Awards) for the same reason: how different organizations interpret and apply policies on generative AI.
The controversy raises fundamental questions about:
- Transparency in development
- Balance between strict rules and context
- Definition of what constitutes “AI use”
- How the industry will navigate these issues in the future
What is indisputable is that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has left its mark on 2025, both for its artistic and commercial achievements and for becoming a case study on the relationship between generative AI and video game creation.
Sources Consulted:
- Game Rant: “Expedition 33 Has Been Disqualified from the Indie Game Awards 2025 Due Use of Gen AI”
- Insider Gaming: “Indie Game Awards Disqualifies Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Due To Gen AI Usage”
- VGC: “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Game of the Year award pulled after admitting to generative AI use”
- GameSpot: “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review – Light And Shadow”
- Wikipedia: “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33”
- Six One Indie: Official FAQ statement
Last Updated: December 2025
