Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was disqualified from the Indie Game Awards after Sandfall Interactive confirmed that generative AI art had been used in production. The organizers said a Sandfall representative had stated during submission that the game was not developed using generative AI. Its Debut Game and Game of the Year awards were revoked and reassigned.
Why was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 disqualified?
In a statement reproduced by GAMES.CH on December 22, 2025, the Indie Game Awards said it takes a strict position on generative AI during nominations and the awards ceremony. According to the statement, a Sandfall Interactive representative said at submission that generative AI had not been used in development. The organizers said Sandfall later confirmed that generative AI art had been used in production, and that this confirmation disqualified the game.
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Original Soundtrack) | $42.39 | Buy on Amazon |
The key issue, as described by the award organizers, was the confirmed use of generative AI art alongside the earlier submission statement. The accessible version of the awards’ official FAQ did not expose the full text of its Game Eligibility section, so the precise wording and scope of the written rule cannot be established from that page.
Which awards were revoked, and who received them?
| Category | Original winner | Replacement recipient |
|---|---|---|
| Debut Game | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | Sorry We’re Closed |
| Game of the Year | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | Blue Prince |
GAMES.CH reported the reassignment, as did PC Gamer on December 21, 2025.
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- Reactive Turn-based Combat: Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and &character synergies
- Dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free aim system
- With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, & fellow Expeditioners as they embark on a desperate quest to break Paintress’ cycle of death
- Explore an enchanting realm populated by adversaries; Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield
- Experience the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, fully realized in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning graphics and a heartbreaking soundtrack
What has been reported about AI-like textures?
PC Gamer reported that textures described as AI-like were noticed after the game’s release and later removed. It also reported that a patch note described one texture as a “placeholder texture.” That characterization is reporting about the assets, not independent forensic confirmation of how each texture was made. The organizers’ stated basis for the awards decision was Sandfall’s confirmation of generative AI art use in production after the contrary submission statement.
What the decision does—and does not—establish
The decision concerns the Indie Game Awards’ eligibility judgment and its two awards. It does not, by itself, establish that other award organizations changed their results or adopted the same policy. Nor does the information visible in the official FAQ settle whether the written rule covers every development stage or all forms of AI assistance.
Rank #2
- Reactive Turn-based Combat - In this evolution of JRPGs, real-time actions enhance the heart of turn-based combat. Build your party and level up six characters. Craft unique builds for your expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and character synergies. Open an active dimension in combat - dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free-aim system.
- “Tomorrow Comes” - With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, and their fellow Expeditioners as they embark upon a desperate quest to break the Paintress’ cycle of death. Follow the trail of previous expeditions and discover their fate. Get to know the members of Expedition 33 as they learn to work together against impossible odds.
- A Hauntingly Beautiful World - Explore an enchanting realm populated by surreal adversaries. Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from the Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield, discovering secrets and hidden quests along the way. Find allies of fortune in creatures of legend and recruit a special companion who can access new travel methods and secret areas in the World Map.
- Experience the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, fully realized in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning graphics and a heartbreaking soundtrack.
- European/ UK version
The award organization’s position was also described by nomination committee member Mike Towndrow, whom PC Gamer quoted: “We have a hard stance against gen AI in videogames, it’s something we talk about throughout the year when discussing any potential nominees.” That statement reflects the committee member’s description of the organization’s approach; it should not be treated as the full text of the eligibility rule.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What are the Indie Game Awards?
The official FAQ describes the Indie Game Awards as an annual, awards-only ceremony focused on indie games. It says the 2026 ceremony would premiere in December. The page’s accessible view displayed the Game Eligibility heading but not its full text, so readers should distinguish the organizers’ stated explanation for this case from any broader claim about the award’s rules.
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- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a ground-breaking turn-based RPG with unique real-time mechanics, making battles more immersive and addictive than ever.
- Explore a fantasy world inspired by Belle Époque France in which you battle devastating enemies.
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