Clair Obscur Developers Commit to Human-Only Creations Following GOTY Controversy

The gaming community erupted when the Indie Game Awards announced it was revoking the top honors given to the RPG favorite Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 due to the use of generative AI in its development. Recently, Sandfall Interactive held a private interview session with a select group of influencers, where the studio addressed the ongoing AI debate. Game director Guillaume Broche clarified some misconceptions and reiterated previous statements from the development team regarding their approach to generative AI.

The Q&A session was transcribed by gaming content creator Sushi, who was among the influencers present. Twitch streamer crizco opened the discussion by referencing the controversy surrounding Larian Studios’ admission of using generative AI in the development of Baldur’s Gate 3.

“To what extent was generative AI used in Clair Obscur, how was it beneficial, and how do you plan to use it in the future?” crizco asked.

“Everything in the game is human-made,” Broche replied. “When AI first emerged in 2022, we had already begun development. It was just another tool we experimented with, but we didn’t like it at all. It felt wrong.”

Broche mentioned that the studio briefly experimented with AI to fix some overlooked textures but quickly abandoned the idea. “We removed it as soon as we realized,” he stated. “But yes, the concept art, voice acting—everything is created by humans.”

He emphasized a clear stance on the future of AI in gaming, noting, “It’s hard to predict how AI might evolve in the industry, but everything will be made by humans, by us.”

Despite this clarification, the Indie Game Awards has upheld its decision to retract the Game of the Year award from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. A FAQ on the awards’ website explains that Sandfall Interactive’s acknowledgment of AI usage during production disqualifies the game from its nomination.

The controversy has been fueled by Sandfall Interactive’s transparency regarding their AI usage. Earlier interviews in 2025 featured other developers discussing their attempts to use AI-generated placeholder art. After the game’s release, some players identified textures that seemed AI-generated, though these were limited to a single object among a vast array of assets. While Sandfall Interactive has not commented on the matter, the swift removal of those assets, along with prior statements, suggests it was an oversight from their initial exploration of the technology.

Some argue that even experimenting with AI crosses a moral line for those who believe AI-generated assets should not be part of artistic creation. However, like many sectors, gaming studios are being encouraged by leadership to explore AI technology, regardless of employee sentiments. Some studios, such as Larian, have utilized AI for tasks like creating slide presentations and drafting concept art, but it does not seem to dictate the creative direction of their games. The definition of “bad” AI usage remains a gray area.

In the case of the Indie Game Awards, the decision to revoke Clair Obscur’s accolades has been framed as a matter of honesty.

“When it was submitted for consideration, a representative of Sandfall Interactive confirmed that no generative AI was used in the development of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,” the FAQ states.

“As generative AI becomes more common in our industry, we will learn to navigate it appropriately,” the FAQ adds. “The team behind the ceremony is small but ambitious, and the Indie Game Awards can only grow with your support.”