Within a single week, Sandfall Interactive`s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 achieved major success, being honored as Game of the Year by both The Game Awards and The Indie Game Awards (TIGA). However, just two days after securing its latest victory, TIGA revoked both awards citing the developer`s use of artificial intelligence (AI).
A statement released by The Indie Game Awards emphasized its strict policy regarding the use of generative AI (gen AI) throughout the submission and ceremony process. The statement noted that when the game was submitted, Sandfall Interactive representatives confirmed that no gen AI was utilized in the development of Expedition 33. TIGA concluded that Sandfall Interactive`s subsequent confirmation of gen AI usage, made on the day of the 2025 premiere, nullified the game`s nomination status.
Following this decision, TIGA subsequently named Blue Prince as the new Game of the Year. The award for Debut Game, which Expedition 33 had previously claimed, was given to Sorry We`re Closed.
Developer`s Response to AI Use
The controversy arose partly from a feature published in July 2025. In the article, Expedition 33 producer François Meurisse stated, “We use some AI, but not much. The key is that we were very clear about what we wanted to do.”
In response to the article, Sandfall Interactive issued a clarification, stating they had been in contact with the publication three months prior. They emphasized that they had used a limited number of pre-existing 3D assets sourced from the Unreal Engine Marketplace, confirming that none of these specific assets were created using artificial intelligence.
Furthermore, Sandfall claimed that the only AI-created assets found in the game were “temporary placeholder textures” that had accidentally slipped past the quality assurance (QA) process. They asserted that once these assets were identified, they were “removed within five days” and replaced with the finalized, intended textures.
Controversy Fails to Diminish Popularity
Despite the public controversy, Expedition 33 appears to maintain its popularity. French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Sandfall on its success at The Game Awards, a win that dramatically boosted the game`s visibility on Steam and consoles. This surge in interest may also have been partially driven by new DLC released immediately following The Game Awards ceremony.
Related: Party Members and Abilities
The game features various unique characters and combat styles.