Indie Game Awards Spark Controversy: Two Major Prizes Revoked!
The 2025 Indie Game Awards have drawn significant attention: Two of the top honors for the RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Sandfall Interactive were revoked after the fact. The reason? The use of generative artificial intelligence during development—a clear violation of the awards’ strict rules.
Clair Obscur Loses Awards Over AI Use
Initially, the game had swept the awards on December 18, 2025, taking home both “Game of the Year” and Best Debut Game. However, it soon emerged that the development team had used AI tools to create textures and placeholder graphics. Even though these elements were removed before the official launch, they were still considered part of the development process. According to the Indie Game Awards (IGA) rules, the use of generative AI automatically disqualifies a game.
In an official statement, the organizers emphasized that the rules prohibiting AI use are binding. “The decision to avoid generative AI is not a mere recommendation but a core part of our competition guidelines,” the statement read. After confirming the violations, the committee decided to withdraw the two main awards from Clair Obscur and reassign them to other titles.
The prizes were redistributed: The puzzle game Blue Prince was awarded “Game of the Year,” while Sorry We’re Closed received the Best Debut Game honor. The affected development teams were informed of the changes by the IGA. In addition, another award was also rescinded though for a different reason, namely due to connections with a company whose activities do not align with the values of the awards.
Debate Over AI And Fairness In The Gaming Industry
The incident has sparked a broader discussion about the role of AI in game development. More and more studios are turning to AI-assisted tools for concept creation, writing, or graphic design. Critics warn that this raises questions about creativity, transparency, and fairness in competitions, while supporters argue that AI can streamline development and ease the workload for smaller teams.
Through its strict enforcement, the IGA has made it clear that competition rules take precedence over the hype surrounding a celebrated game. Even highly acclaimed titles are disqualified if they violate established criteria. The case of Clair Obscur highlights that the debate over AI in the gaming industry is not merely theoretical it has tangible effects on awards and recognition.