Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 faces AI backlash in gaming industry

The game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has faced criticism and lost awards at the Indie Game Awards due to the inclusion of AI-generated textures in its release version. This incident highlights a growing divide regarding the use of generative AI in game development.

According to the GDC 2026 survey of over 2,300 industry professionals, 52% believe generative AI is harmful to the industry, a significant increase from 30% the previous year. Negative sentiment is highest among visual and technical artists (64%), designers and narrative professionals (63%), and programmers (59%).

Consumer sentiment is similarly critical. A Quantic Foundry study of 1,799 players found that approximately 85% hold a negative view of generative AI in gaming, with 63% expressing a very negative opinion. The research indicates that players are particularly opposed to using AI for art, music, sound effects, narrative, and dialogue, whereas its use for technical adjustments, such as difficulty scaling, receives less intense opposition.