GOTY Winner Expedition 33 Confirmed To Have Used Gen AI During Development

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Everyone Is More Split On AI Use For Game Development Than Ever Before!

Story Highlight
  • Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 developers confirmed the use of generative AI in a previous interview.
  • Players also spotted AI assets left behind in the RPG, but these were later patched out.
  • The RPG’s big win at The Game Awards in spite of its AI use has led to a debate about the technology’s acceptance within the gaming industry.

The use of generative AI in development has become a highly debated subject. Recently, Larian confirmed that it explored the technology for the concept art creation process for Divinity, sparking debates regarding the wider impacts of the technology.

Amid the outcry, past interviews related to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 were also dug up, revealing that AI was also used in Sandfall Interactive’s first RPG.

Why it matters: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 swept The Game Awards last week and took home Game of the Year.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Expedition 33 Was Praised For Its Strong Art Direction And More

An interview conducted by El País (via Gene Park) reveals that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 did make use of generative AI, as confirmed directly by the game’s producer.

We use some AI, but not much.

-Francois Meurisse

The producer did not go into too much detail about the impact of AI on Sandfall Interactive’s creative process or how it was used, but there is evidence to suggest that the team relied on generative AI to make placeholder assets early in development.

Users on Reddit previously noted that the image below shows poster assets created by artificial intelligence. Although these instances appear to have been patched out of the game a while ago, they may not necessarily represent the full extent of Sandfall Interactive’s reliance on generative AI.

Perhaps the studio will come forward with an official statement to offer more clarity on the matter now that it has become a much bigger talking point.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 AI Generated Asset
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 AI-Generated Asset

The industry is currently split on generative AI and its use in game development. Amid the focus on Larian using AI for Divinity, many have pointed out that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 did the same and faced no real repercussions.

Instead, the game was showered with praise and celebrated by audiences. Ultimately, it seems more and more studios will rely on the technology moving forward.

What do you make of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 using generative AI during development? Share your thoughts in the comments below and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

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