Apart from the TGA, *Light and Shadow: Expedition 33* had its indie game award revoked for using generative AI.

Six One Indie, the organizer of the Independent Game Awards, has announced a major decision:*Light and Shadow: Expedition 33*, which had previously won the “Game of the Year” and “Best New Release” awards at the December 18 awards ceremony, has had all its awards officially revoked after it was confirmed that generative AI was used during development and this fact was concealed during the submission process. The relevant awards will be awarded to the runners-up.

It is
reported that the Independent Games Awards maintains a “zero-tolerance” policy regarding the use of generative AI, and developer Sandfall Interactive had pledged in its submission materials that the game did not use generative AI.A subsequent investigation revealed that not only had the game utilized such technology during development, but the initial release also contained AI-generated content (which was later removed). The organizers verified the situation after voting had concluded and the awards ceremony video had been completed, ultimately deciding to revoke the game’s nomination.
*Light and Shadow: Expedition 33*, developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive, is a turn-based role-playing game that incorporates real-time mechanics. Set in a fantasy world inspired by the “Belle Époque” of late 19th-century France,Players take on the role of members of “Expedition 33,” tasked with ending the curse of the “Painting Mother”—who, upon awakening each year, paints a number on the Stone of Records, causing those who share that age to vanish. This time, the target number is “33.”

In terms of gameplay, the game’s core combat system combines turn-based strategy with real-time action. Players must precisely target enemies’ weak points to land high-damage attacks, while using dodging, blocking, and QTE mechanics to adapt to the flow of battle;Exploration elements include grappling movement, light-and-shadow puzzles, and uncovering hidden areas; for character development, players can increase affinity with party members through camp dialogues to unlock exclusive skills and story content.
As a highly anticipated indie title, the game has received numerous industry accolades: prior to launch, it earned multiple nominations at the 2025 TGA, including “Game of the Year” and “Best Art Direction,” and in November, it won seven awards at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards, including “Ultimate Game of the Year” and “Best Narrative Game”;It has achieved impressive sales and critical acclaim, selling over 2 million copies within 12 days of release, earning a 94 on Metacritic (with a “Must Play” certification) and a 9 from IGN, and being hailed as “one of the greatest RPGs of all time.”

Currently, the Independent Game Awards has confirmed that *The Blue Road Prince* has been named the new “Game of the Year,” and *Sorry We’re Closed* has been named “Best New Game.” The acceptance speeches from the developers of both games are expected to be released in early 2026.