Clair Obscur having its Indie Game Game Of The Year award stripped due to AI use (www.thegamer.com)

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, an acclaimed RPG from Sandfall Interactive, had its Game of the Year award rescinded by the Indie Game Awards shortly after its win due to a breach of rules regarding the use of generative AI in its development. Despite initially declaring that no generative AI was employed, Sandfall later confirmed the use of AI-generated art, prompting the awards committee to act on their strict stance against AI usage. As a result, the titles were awarded to other games, namely Blue Prince for Game of the Year and Sorry We're Closed for Debut Game. This incident highlights significant tensions within the gaming industry regarding the ethics and transparency of using AI tools in development. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into game design—from asset creation to gameplay mechanics—the debate over its permissibility in award considerations is intensifying. The swift decision to disqualify Clair Obscur underscores the growing scrutiny around AI in creative processes and suggests that the industry may face further discussions on defining and regulating AI's role in game development amidst evolving technology.