The Game Awards 2025 crowned Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as its undisputed champion, with the indie RPG securing a record nine victories, including Game of the Year. Developed by France's Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive, the title's triumph underscores a growing appetite for narrative-driven experiences amid industry turbulence.
Held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the ceremony—hosted by Geoff Keighley—drew global attention as Clair Obscur edged out heavyweights like Death Stranding 2 and Hades II. Its wins spanned Best Independent Game, Best RPG, Best Narrative, and Best Art Direction, highlighting its blend of turn-based combat, painterly visuals, and emotional depth. Guillaume Broche, creative director, accepted Game of the Year alongside team members Tom Guillermin, Nicholas Maxon-Framcombe, and François Meurisse, crediting the project's roots in classic JRPGs like Final Fantasy Tactics.
Expedition 33's journey began as a modest Kickstarter in 2022, raising over €1 million before evolving into a 30+ hour epic exploring grief and resilience. Critics praised its "30+ hours of main game and side content," with themes of loss resonating post-pandemic. The awards sweep—12 nominations, nine wins—marks the most for any title in TGA history, surpassing previous records.
Yet controversy shadowed the celebration. Days before, the Indie Game Awards disqualified Expedition 33 from its Game of the Year and Debut Game wins over generative AI use in concept art, despite initial denials from developers. Sandfall's representatives had assured organizers of no AI involvement during submission, but revelations of "small AI usage" led to the revocation, with awards reassigned to Blue Prince and Sorry We’re Closed. Six One Indie, the event's host, cited a "hard stance" on AI, sparking debates on ethics in indie development.
