Clair Obscur Developers Set Strict No-AI Policy After Game of the Year Fallout
Clair Obscur devs insist their game is fully human-made after AI-use controversy cost them Game of the Year, sparking a wider debate on AI in indie gaming.
The indie gaming world is still buzzing after the Indie Game Awards stripped Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 of its Game of the Year title over concerns about generative AI use. The decision has left many players confused about what actually happened and how much AI really made it into the game.
To clear the air, Sandfall Interactive, the French studio behind the title, recently held a private session with Twitch streamers and content creators. During the conversation, game director Guillaume Broche addressed the controversy head-on.
“Everything in the game is human-made,” Broche said.
He explained that the studio briefly experimented with AI in 2022 to patch a few missing textures, but removed it as soon as the team noticed. Beyond that short test, all concept art, voice acting, and design work in Clair Obscur was created by people. Looking ahead, Broche was firm about the studio’s direction: the game — and future projects — will remain fully human-made.
Emmanuel Umahi
Why the Award Was Still Taken Away
Despite the clarification, the Indie Game Awards have refused to reverse their decision. According to the awards’ official FAQ, any confirmed use of generative AI — no matter how limited — disqualifies a game from nomination.
The issue, they argue, isn’t about how much AI was used, but about disclosure. Sandfall Interactive had previously spoken publicly about testing AI earlier in the year, yet their award submission stated that no AI was used. For the awards committee, that contradiction was enough to justify disqualification.
Emmanuel Umahi
What This Means for Players
For gamers, this controversy goes beyond one trophy.
It raises a new question about how future games will be judged — not just on how they play, but on how they are made. As AI tools become more common in game development, players may start seeing clearer labels, disclosures, or even “AI-free” marketing as studios try to build trust.
The Bigger Picture
This moment feels like a turning point. On one side, developers are under pressure to explore new tools that make production faster or cheaper. On the other, players and awards bodies are drawing firmer lines around what counts as authentic creative work.
Sandfall Interactive’s message is simple: experiment if you must, but the craft should stay human. The Indie Game Awards’ stance is just as clear: transparency is no longer optional.
For players, that means the conversation about AI in games is no longer theoretical. It’s now shaping which games get celebrated — and which don’t.
Emmanuel Umahi
