French RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has lost its titles at The Indie Game Awards 2025 in a historic disqualification. The organizers revoked the awards due to the studio's use of generative AI, citing strict competition rules.
From Triumph to Disqualification Just days prior, on December 19, Sandfall Interactive celebrated winning "Game of the Year" and "Best Debut." The game was even praised by French President Emmanuel Macron as a cultural milestone. However, the victory was overturned when it was revealed that AI was used during development.
The developers explained that AI was used only for placeholder assets to manage their budget (under $10 million) and was not included in the final release. Nevertheless, The Indie Game Awards maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding generative AI at any stage of production.
New Winners Announced Following the disqualification, the awards were passed to games created using traditional methods:
- Game of the Year: Blue Prince — a strategic mansion-building puzzle game.
- Best Debut: Sorry We're Closed — a surreal horror title.
This marks the first major instance where prestigious gaming awards have been revoked post-ceremony due to the ethical debate surrounding AI tools.
Conclusion from HYPERPC:
"Whether it is cutting-edge RPGs like Clair Obscur or creative indie gems like Blue Prince, modern gaming pushes hardware to the limit. At HYPERPC, we build premium gaming rigs designed to handle the most demanding visuals and physics. No matter which game takes the crown, you need the right gear to experience it fully."
Verified Sources
- Sandfall Interactive (Clair Obscur): sandfall.co— Official website of the developers.
- The Indie Game Awards: indiegameawards.com — Official website of the awards body (Note: Verify specific 2025 rules upon official release).
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