Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the indie RPG that dominated The Game Awards 2025 with a record-breaking haul — including Game of the Year — is now at the center of a controversial industry debate over the use of generative AI in its development.
AI in Development Confirmed
Following its stunning success and critical acclaim, scrutiny has returned to how Expedition 33 was made. Developers at Sandfall Interactive confirmed that the game did, in fact, use generative AI tools during development. Producer François Meurisse stated in an interview that while AI was used, it was “limited” in scope.
Community reports and analysis show that AI-generated textures appeared as placeholders in early game builds. These assets were quickly replaced with custom art before final release, but their initial inclusion has reignited debate about transparency and acceptable AI use in game creation.
Fan Backlash and Industry Conversation
The revelation has provoked mixed reactions across gaming communities:
- Some fans argue that using generative AI — even temporarily — undermines the artistic integrity of a title now celebrated as one of the best games of the year.
- Others note that placeholder tools have long been part of development pipelines and that the AI content never appeared in the final product.
Much of the renewed spotlight on Clair Obscur follows recent controversies over AI tools in other high-profile studios, including heated discussions around Larian Studios and its use of AI for Divinity concept work.
What Developers Say
Sandfall Interactive maintains that AI assistance was minimal and practical, helping with early visualization and concept tasks but not influencing core design, narrative, or final art. The game’s character designs, voice acting, and music — widely praised by critics — were all created by human talent, supporters stress.
A Record-Breaking Success
Despite the controversy, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 continues to enjoy monumental success:
- It won nine awards at The Game Awards 2025, making it one of the most awarded titles in the ceremony’s history.
- It has sold millions of copies worldwide and been lauded for its storytelling, gameplay systems, and artistic achievements.
Broader Implications
The Expedition 33 AI debate underscores larger questions facing the gaming industry as generative tools become more widely adopted:
- Transparency: Should studios disclose every use of AI, even if assets never ship with the final game?
- Standards: Will awards bodies and gaming communities establish clear guidelines for AI usage?
- Creativity vs. Efficiency: How will AI tools reshape workflows without diluting creative authorship?
Whether Clair Obscur’s success will permanently shift perceptions of AI’s role in game development remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: the conversation is only just beginning.
