The Indie Game Awards held on December 18 received significant attention following their recent decision to strip Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 of its accolades. The game, developed by Sandfall Interactive, originally won both Game of the Year and Debut Game titles. However, concerns over the use of generative AI in the game’s development prompted the awards organization, Six One Indie, to revoke these honors.
In a statement released on Saturday, Six One Indie explained that the decision came after it was revealed that generative AI played a role in the development of Clair Obscur, which was not disclosed during the nomination process. The organization emphasized its strict policy against the use of generative AI in the context of their awards. “When it was submitted for consideration, representatives of Sandfall Interactive agreed that no gen AI was used in the development,” they stated. However, this agreement was contradicted when Sandfall confirmed the AI’s involvement on the day of the awards ceremony.
Consequently, the awards will now be reassigned to the respective runner-ups. Sorry We’re Closed will take home the award for Debut Game, while Blue Prince is now honored as Game of the Year.
Six One Indie thanked the gaming community for their understanding and feedback during this process. They reiterated their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the awards and expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming 2026 ceremony.
This situation raises important questions about the role of technology in game development and the standards that should be upheld in award competitions. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the conversation surrounding generative AI and its implications will likely gain further prominence. The Indie Game Awards organizers have demonstrated their dedication to a transparent process, and this incident underscores the need for clarity in standards and practices in the creative community.