The second-ever Indie Game Awards is making headlines for quickly retracting multiple awards, including Game of the Year, due to use of gen AI in the development process. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 had won Game of the Year and Debut Game. But after discovering developer Sandfall Interactive used gen AI art in its creation, they retracted both awards.
Apparently, the use of gen AI in Clair Obscur was solely in placeholder art, which was quickly patched out soon after launch.
Per the IGA rules, the awards went to the next “highest-ranked game” in the category. Debut Game went to Sorry We’re Closed, and IGA’s Game of the Year is now awarded to Blue Prince.
Six One Indie’s Mike Towndrow posted a video about the retraction via BlueSky.
The Indie Game Awards has posted details on the FAQ page regarding the retractions:
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.
The dramatic retraction to the multiple-award winning RPG (including Game of the Year winner at The Game Awards) has sparked an ongoing conversation about the use of gen AI in game development, which is becoming increasingly common for large and small developers.
Another retraction went to Gortyn Code and Chantey, who was one of the winners of Indie Vanguard 2025 award. It was discovered that the platform that can play Chantey, ModRetro, has direct ties to tech manufacturer Anduril Industries, which manufacturers attack drones. According to the IGA FAQ, “the company strictly goes against the values of the IGAs.”
The Indie Game Awards, organized by Six One Indie, recognizes achievements in independent gaming, developers, and creators around the world. Awards include Emotional Impact, Industry Impact, and Achievement in Accessibility.
Total list of 2025 Indie Game Awards recipients:
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Achievement in Accessibility: PEAK – Team PEAK
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African Indie Game Award (Curated by the Playtopia Festival): Stick It To The Stickman – Free Lives
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ANZ Indie Game Award (Curated by Frosty Games): The Drifter – Powerhoof
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Bite-Sized Game: Time Flies – Playables
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Black Voices in Gaming Award (Curated by Black Voices in Gaming): Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi – MarsLit Games
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Community Management: PEAK – Team PEAK
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Debut Game: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Sandfall Interactive
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Emotional Impact: and Roger – TearyHand Studio
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Gameplay Design: BALL x PIT – Kenny Sun
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Industry Impact: Game Devs of Color
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Innovation: Blue Prince – Dogubomb
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Latin American Indie Game Award (Curated by the Latin American Games Showcase): Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo – Pocket Trap
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The Mohammad Fahmi Storyteller Award: Maddy Thorson
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Music: Rift of the NecroDancer – Danny Baranowsky, Alex Moukala, Jules Conroy, Josie Brechner, Sam Webster, and Nick Nausbaum
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Narrative: Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector – Jump Over the Age
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Solo Development: Tall Trails – Brady Soglin
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Southeast Asian Indie Game Award (Curated by the Southeast Asian Games Showcase): Artis Impact – Mas
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Visual Design: 30 Birds – RAM RAM Games, Business Goose Studios
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Women-Led Indie Game Award (Curated by Women-Led Games): Urban Myth Dissolution Center – Hakababunko
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Game of the Year: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Sandfall Interactive
Indie Vanguard | Class of 2025:
The Indie Game Awards is slated to return in 2026.
