The highly acclaimed RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been stripped of its crown in just 48 hours, after sweeping the 2025 Indie Game Awards. The organizers announced that Expedition 33 is disqualified from all winning categories following a breach of the event’s strict policy on generative AI. This decision has reshuffled the winners podium and reignited a fiery debate regarding the role of artificial intelligence in independent game development.
A Short-Lived Victory for Sandfall Interactive
The disqualification marks a stunning reversal of fortune for debut studio Sandfall Interactive. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was widely celebrated for its Belle Époque art style and innovative turn-based mechanics. On December 20, the game appeared to cement its legacy by taking home the ceremony’s two most prestigious honors, Game of the Year and Debut Game.
However, the celebration came to an abrupt halt on Sunday evening after producer François Meurisse revealed in a post-win interview that the 33-member team had used generative AI tools to create placeholder textures during early development. Though Meurisse clarified that these assets were removed and replaced around the time of the game’s launch, the disclosure prompted an immediate investigation by the awards committee.
Why Was Expedition 33 Disqualified?
The Indie Game Awards (IGA) enforces a “zero-tolerance” policy regarding generative AI. To be eligible for nomination, developers must certify that no generative AI was used at any stage of the production pipeline, regardless of whether the assets appear in the final build.
In a statement explaining why Expedition 33 is disqualified, the IGA committee emphasized that the integrity of the submission process is paramount:
The Indie Game Awards have a hard stance on the use of generative AI throughout the nomination process. When submitted for consideration, representatives of Sandfall Interactive agreed that no GenAI was used. In light of Sandfall confirming the use of GenAI art in production… this disqualifies Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from its nomination. While the assets in question were patched out and it is a wonderful game, it violates the regulations we have in place to protect human artistry.
IGA
The committee’s ruling highlights a hardline distinction: for the IGA, “Indie purity” relies on human craftsmanship from concept to code.
New Winners Crowned
With the removal of Clair Obscur, the accolades have been immediately reassigned to the runners-up in each category. The updated 2025 winners are:
- Game of the Year: Blue Prince (Dogubomb)
- Debut Game: Sorry We’re Closed (a la mode games)
The IGA confirmed that new acceptance speeches are being recorded and will be shared with the public shortly.
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The Future of AI in Indie Games
The news about Expedition 33 disqualification has polarized the gaming community. Supporters of Sandfall Interactive argue that the punishment is excessive, noting that the AI assets were temporary tools used by a small team to compete with larger studios. Critics maintain that the disqualification is necessary to uphold the rules and protect the definition of ‘indie’ development.
As AI tools become more integrated into development workflows, the clash between efficiency and the strict human-centric criteria of awards bodies is likely to intensify. For now, the record books have been rewritten but the questions raised by this incident remain.
Do you agree with the Indie Game Awards’ decision to enforce a zero-tolerance policy, or should exceptions be made for temporary assets? Was it fair that Expedition 33 was disqualified after the game was already released? Stay tuned to Hashtechwave for more news about Indie Game Awards decisions and breaking industry updates!
