I’ve recently learned in various self-help publications that two things can be true at the same time. In this case, Claire Obscure: Expedition 33 can win nine awards at Keighley’s Game Awards and accolades in other venues, but they also can be penalized for using generative AI, if appropriate. Beyond that, this furthers the already difficult discussion of AI’s role in the creative process: is it a useful tool or cheat code to beat out the competition? I’m here to discuss why I believe that Six One Indie (the folks behind the Indie Game Awards) did the right thing by disqualifying Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 from their Game of the Year.
Six One Indie is an organization that celebrates indie games far and wide, and they’ve grown significantly over the last few years with informative showcases and their own Indie Game Awards. This year, Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 initially took home Best Debut Game and Game of the Year; however, the awards were stripped not long after due to the fact that generative AI was used during development. The key here is that games that use generative AI are not eligible for nomination at the Indie Game Awards. It appears that representatives at Sandfall Interactive initially indicated that generative AI was not used; however, that proved to be incorrect. Below is a snippit from Six One Indie about this decision:
“The Indie Game Awards have a hard stance on the use of gen AI throughout the nomination process and during the ceremony itself. When it was submitted for consideration, a representative of Sandfall Interactive agreed that no gen AI was used in the development of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. In light of a resurfaced interview with Sandfall Interactive confirming the use of gen AI art in production being brought to our attention on the day of the Indie Game Awards 2025 premiere, this does disqualify Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from its nomination. While the assets in question were patched out and it is a wonderful game, it does go against the regulations we have in place. As a result, the IGAs nomination committee has agreed to officially retract both the Debut Game and Game of the Year awards.” –Six One Indie
While the headlines certainly felt alarming when news first broke; however, the business decision is the clearest part of the conversation. Six One Indie created rules and guidelines, like any other organization, for games to qualify for the Indie Game Awards, and that includes no use of generative AI. This tracks with Six One Indie’s view on game development, focusing on the creators and their tireless hard work. I appreciate this stance, for it is a venue where developers who lovingly handcraft every pixel (metaphorically speaking) with no “short cut” are recognized.
Now, I put “short cut” in quotation marks because this is not to say that Sandfall Interactive didn’t work hard on Clair Obscure: Expedition 33. If we were to nit-pick, it seems that whatever was created by AI (mostly placeholder textures) were patched out later.
Regardless, this is where discussions must be had about using generative AI. There will be no clear answer in this article, and perhaps, there never will be a right answer, but The Indie Awards’ exclusion of games that were built with generative-AI, shows us there is a value difference.
Some find value in generative AI, viewing it as an important tool to cut down time and costs. Advocates state that one can use generative AI without necessarily replacing the human touch of creativity (See my comment on Larian Studios a little further down). On the other hand, one can argue that generative AI is still a short cut and a threat to human creativity. Imagine judging the result of two drawings or sculptures, one created by hand with pen and pencil or chisel, and the other by a machine, driven by a few quick keystrokes. Because a machine is faster and more efficient, one can understand why the playing field feels uneven.
I personally understand how AI, in general, can improve efficiencies in our personal and professional lives, but again, two things can be true. AI can be a helpful tool, but it can also pose a true, and possibly lethal, threat to the arts as we know it. I believe AI becomes a threat when it’s abused by those that want to make a quick buck and cheat the system. I also believe there are some creators out there that are struggling for manpower and/or monetary support, and perhaps AI can help mitigate these risks that could put an entire project under. The worst part is that there is no way to police AI against those that abuse it from those that could benefit in a reasonable way.
The conversation will continue as Larian Studios works on their next game, Divinity. There already was hooplah about the use of generative AI in development; however, the team doubled down and ensures that it will not replace the “essence” of Divinity. Important factors such as character development and storytelling would still have that human touch.
Regardless of your stance on generative AI in game development, I believe that Six One Indie’s decision to exclude games that use generative AI from their nomination list for their Indie Game Awards is an important one to show staunch support man-made creativity that is desperately needed in a world filled with AI slop. Their stance also does not mean that games that were developed with the help of generative AI are bad, either. I’m just grateful they are willing to take a stand and carve out a safe space for developers dedicate their blood, sweat, and tears on their own, which is something no one, not even AI, can take away.
What are your thoughts on generative AI in game development? How should they be factored into accolades and recognition? Please share your thoughts with us on our Boss Rush Facebook Group or our Boss Rush Discord.
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Featured Image Source: Six One Indie
Sources: IGN, Game Rant, Six One Indie, Glass Almanac
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