Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 producer confirms generative AI use in Game of the Year winner
Evidence that Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 employed generative AI already existed. Still, the studio hadn’t offered clarification on how much it relied on the tools. Following the game’s dominance at The Game Awards, some fans are discovering an overlooked interview for the first time. Producer Francois Meurisse told the El País magazine that Clair Obcur uses “some AI, but not much.”
Gene Park shared the comments on social media, reigniting the debate surrounding the technology. Meurisse also revealed how recent advancements allowed the studio to “do things that were unthinkable a short time ago.”
What influence does AI have in Clair Obscur?
Soon after the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 release date, gamers discovered it had launched with placeholder AI images. Developers often implement this temporary artwork before artists create custom files to replace it. The posters were quickly swapped, but the move sparked speculation about how else Sandfall may have capitalized on generative AI tools.
Meurisse’s comments suggest that AI only had a limited influence on the project. Skeptics haven’t found anything suspicious with the character designs or voiceovers, which reviews have praised. Nevertheless, after winning Game of the Year, there is more attention than ever on the title.
Reactions have been mixed, with extreme responses calling for the disqualification of Clair Obscur. Other gamers appreciate how technology can help smaller studios compete against big-budget titles. Sandfall’s less than $10 million budget paled in comparison to AAA RPGs like the Final Fantasy 7 remakes.
The AI debate won’t be settled anytime soon
Ironically, as reported by GamesRadar, the voice actress for Maelle condemned the increasing reliance on generative AI. Despite Jennifer English’s warnings, major publishers like Capcom aren’t as concerned. Resident Evil games could use Imagen to produce background objects, saving artists’ time. Larian, makers of Baldur’s Gate 3, also came under fire for pledging to ask artificial intelligence to brainstorm ideas for Divinity.
Most games are unlikely to depend entirely on machine-generated assets in the near future. Even so, critics worry that as the industry celebrates Clair Obscur, other studios won’t be as reluctant to replace their human creators.
Adam Corsetti – Tech Writer – 861 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2025
I became interested in technology at a young age and enjoyed discovering the latest innovations. While earning college degrees in publishing, I created several PC hardware and gaming websites. My passion has always been to guide readers on what products can truly improve their lives. After many years as a Tech Writer for Game Rant, I’m anxious to share my knowledge with a new audience at Notebookcheck.
