The Indie Recreation Awards has stripped Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 of two main awards, together with Recreation of the 12 months and Debut Recreation. This is because of developer Sandfall Interactive’s use of generative AI, .
This appears to be pretty lower and dry. The awards ceremony that any sport that makes use of generative AI within the growth course of could be “strictly ineligible” for nominations. It was lately revealed that Sandfall whereas making Clair Obscur.
The corporate says it was just for placeholder textures that had been later eliminated, however a couple of squeezed previous the QA course of and and, as such, . The Indie Recreation Awards is evident about disallowing any use of generative AI and, so, right here we’re.
“In gentle of Sandfall Interactive confirming using gen AI artwork in manufacturing on the day of the Indie Recreation Awards 2025 premiere, this does disqualify Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from its nomination,” the group wrote. “Whereas the belongings in query had been patched out and it’s a fantastic sport, it does go in opposition to the rules we have now in place.”
Six One Indie, the corporate behind the ceremony, deserves a smidge of the blame right here. These awards had been initially handed out final week and we have recognized about the entire Clair Obscur AI factor for months. It says it did not uncover Sandfall’s use of AI till December 18, the day the winners had been introduced. A Google search on December 17 possible would’ve helped. It’s price noting, nevertheless, that Sandfall did beforehand agree that no generative AI was used throughout growth as a part of the submission course of.
In any occasion, the second-highest scoring titles in every class now will get the award. Which means that Blue Prince is now Recreation of the 12 months and Sorry We’re Closed snags Debut Recreation.
Regardless of this AI controversy, Clair Obscur had a at this month’s The Recreation Awards. It received nearly every little thing it was put up for, together with . It additionally made our record of the . The developer introduced that it had bought again in October. That quantity is unquestionably a lot increased by now.