AI Controversy: Larian in Turmoil and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 under Fire — What Risks for Players?

The rise of generative artificial intelligences has given birth to a new major issue in the video game industry. In 2025, a shockwave sweeps through the gaming community: Larian Studios, famous for titles like Baldur’s Gate and Divinity, finds itself at the center of a controversy related to the use of AI in its creative processes. This controversy quickly gained momentum, provoking a reaction similar to that encountered by Clair Obscur with their latest game, Expedition 33. Faced with these fierce criticisms, the debate no longer revolves solely around technological innovation — it also raises questions of ethics, impact on developers, and especially risks for players. How do these controversies redefine the relationship between artificial intelligence and video game design? What repercussions do these practices have for end users? This tense context raises a profound reflection on the place of AI in gaming, an industry where human creativity is still king.

The underlying AI controversy around Larian Studios: a divisive debate

Since the revelation by CEO Swen Vincke that Larian uses generative artificial intelligence in its internal development phases, the tension has been palpable. The studio admitted to employing these tools to quickly explore ideas, notably through the generation of artistic concepts and preliminary texts. However, far from being present in the final product, AI only serves as a creativity aid tool, according to management. This communication was not enough to soothe the community, which worries about the potential abuses of such a rapidly growing technology.

The main criticism targets the very nature of the data used to train these artificial intelligences. Some players and developers denounce a lack of consent from the original authors whose works have been assimilated by these algorithms. This issue raises a major ethical problem: to what extent can existing content be exploited without violating the moral rights of artists? This question, now central in the gaming controversy, pushes to reconsider the practices of major studios.

Through this debate, Larian must also face the specter of a future where the machine could replace humans, a scenario vigorously rejected by Vincke. He insists that AI complements and does not eliminate the creative work of developers, who remain the indispensable pillars of production. Nevertheless, this statement struggles to convince in a climate of growing distrust, where the speed and efficiency offered by AI are sometimes seen as a threat to jobs and the intrinsic quality of games.

To illustrate this unease, one can cite the feelings of an independent developer who confides: “Using AI to imagine universes is an important step, but if this technology ends up dictating what players receive, we risk losing the very soul of video game creations.” This phrase reflects the concern of part of the community, divided between fascination and fear in front of the increasing integration of generative AI in development.

This divide also manifests itself on social networks through strongly polarized exchanges. Some defend the innovative approach of the Belgian studio, highlighting that in a hyper-competitive industry, AI is a natural tool for evolution. Others condemn a decision they consider rushed, fearing a qualitative impoverishment of games and an insatiable appetite for a still poorly regulated technology.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at the heart of a similar ethical controversy

While Larian struggles to calm debates around its use of artificial intelligence, Clair Obscur and its recent game Expedition 33 also find themselves caught up in the turmoil, although they did not directly initiate the controversy. After the wave of criticism targeting Larian, their own use of certain forms of generative AI for narrative elements raised just as sensitive questions.

Several voices in the community pointed a finger at a possible abusive exploitation of online resources, notably in the design of textures and dialogues. Accusations of unintentional plagiarism via AI fueled this crisis, pushing the developers of Clair Obscur to a strong public reaction: they categorically reject allegations of content theft and claim to guarantee strict human control over every created line.

This flood of criticism questions the responsibility of studios in the use of emerging technologies. From when does a help tool become a source of ethical cheating? This question has become crucial as the boundaries between robotic assistance and individual production blur.

Concretely, Clair Obscur claims that their way of using AI remains very limited and transparent, with a role confined to initial versions that they then manually rework. This method recalls that claimed by Larian, illustrating a potential new standard imposed on developers wishing to integrate artificial intelligence.

Some experts in the video game field now advocate an ethical charter to precisely regulate these uses, to reassure players and creators. The case of Expedition 33 proves that no studio size is immune to criticism and that distrust towards AI in the gaming sector now goes beyond major players like Larian.

Risks for players in the face of these controversies about artificial intelligence

The controversy around the use of AI by Larian and Clair Obscur does not concern only the developers; it presents crucial issues for the players themselves. Among the risks mentioned, the question of the quality of finished games takes a central place. If AI intervenes too early in the creative chain, the final result could suffer from homogenization or excessive simplification of the explored universes.

Moreover, some fear that massive recourse to artificial intelligence may lead to an impoverishment of narrative and artistic diversity, as algorithms favor what has already been proven with players. This situation could generate a vicious cycle where surprise and originality become rare, degrading the immersive and sensory experience expected by the community.

Ethical risks must also be considered: unintentional manipulation of dialogues or scenarios, biased content, or even inadvertent introduction of errors or stereotypes related to training data. These abuses directly impact the way players perceive and live the proposed story, which raises the question of questioned reliability.

Another raised problem is transparency. If developers do not clearly communicate the extent of AI usage, players may feel betrayed or manipulated. This growing distrust risks eroding the essential trust bond in any relationship between creators and their audience.

Finally, a less visible but not negligible impact affects the player community through the issue of updates and post-launch support. The use of AI to quickly generate patches or additional content can be effective but also raises fears of excessive standardization or a distancing from the real expectations of players, who often prefer human and personalized intervention.

Some major risks for players to remember:

• Loss of diversity and originality in universes due to repetition of AI-generated patterns.
• Variable quality of the final product, with narrative or aesthetic inconsistencies.
• Lack of transparency regarding the actual use of AI in the game or its updates.
• Ethical risks linked to biased or uncontrolled content.
• Potential reduction of human interaction in support and game evolution.

These elements outline a complex panorama where players’ interests must imperatively be taken into account in the reflection around artificial intelligences in gaming.

How do Larian and Clair Obscur respond to criticism about AI use?

In such a tense context, the reactions of the two studios illustrate different crisis management strategies but converge on some essential points. Larian firmly maintains that they will never use AI to replace developers nor to create final content directly intended for players. This position aims to reassure on maintaining the quality and authenticity of its productions.

Swen Vincke thus declared that AI is only a tool to generate ideas and explore creative possibilities during initial phases, a support that does not change the human nature of the work in their projects. At the same time, they announced intensifying communication on their methods for greater transparency towards the community.

On their side, the authors of Clair Obscur took a decidedly proactive stance by publishing a manifesto on the ethics of their use of artificial intelligence. They specify that any automated intervention is followed by systematic human control, excluding any content entirely machine-generated. This approach aims to rebuild the deficient trust after the controversy.

It is therefore clear that despite slightly different approaches, the two studios share the fundamental concern of preserving players’ trust while recognizing the potential of artificial intelligence provided its limits are mastered. Their communication is now oriented towards greater education and collaboration with ethics and copyright experts.

The impact of the AI controversy on the reputation of studios and the video game industry

Beyond their own productions, these controversies fuel a broader debate about the practices of all actors in the video game sector. Studios, whether independent or major, must now navigate a space where technical innovation is scrutinized due to moral and legal questions.

Larian, known for its immersive role-playing games, suffers from a challenge that could potentially affect the loyalty of its fan base, but also its future collaborations. The risk is seeing a chronic distrust establish itself towards technological initiatives introduced without sufficient explanations.

Clair Obscur, despite being smaller, finds itself in a delicate position where their image as independent and authentic creators is put to the test. This situation illustrates how the shadow cast by artificial intelligence is now a major concern for the entire gaming community.

The consumer, increasingly aware of ethical issues, demands transparent and responsible dialogue. This dynamic generates a notable evolution in expectations around game development, where humans must remain at the heart of the process despite the contribution of new technologies.

In this context, the AI controversy acts as a catalyst for change, inviting the entire industry to a collective reflection on the balance between automation and human creativity.

Studio	Position on AI	Response to controversy	Potential impact
Larian Studios	Use limited to internal phases, not in final content	Promise of transparency and maintenance of human work	Possible distrust, but strengthening dialogue with community
Clair Obscur	AI used as complement, systematic human control	Ethical manifesto published, reaffirmation of human creativity	Questioning of their image, need to regain trust

Ethical and legal challenges around artificial intelligence in video games

Recent controversies offer an unprecedented opportunity to deepen debates on ethical and legal dimensions related to the use of artificial intelligence in video game development. In 2025, legislation still struggles to keep pace with the scale of technological innovations, creating a gray area conducive to conflicts and uncertainty.

The key issue lies in the intellectual property of elements generated or used by AI. Original authors, often not consulted, can find themselves dispossessed of their rights, which triggers an outcry in the creators’ sector. The need for clear and balanced regulation becomes imperative to avoid abuses.

Moreover, ethics play a central role when it comes to evaluating the relevance and induced effects of an excessive or poorly framed use of these tools. Notably, respect for cultural diversity and the fight against reproducing discriminatory biases require constant vigilance. Studios must thus integrate these imperatives from the design phase to avoid perpetuating stereotypes or errors.

To complete this overview, several professional and legal organizations are currently working to define standards specifically applicable to AI-assisted creation software. These rules aim to protect both the rights of developers and end users while fostering responsible innovation.

As it stands, the cases of Larian and Clair Obscur demonstrate the need for more structured governance to frame the impact of artificial intelligence in video games, thus ensuring ethical, respectful, and sustainable production.

How do players perceive this wave of criticism on AI use?

The view of players, essential actors in the video game ecosystem, is more divided than ever between enthusiasm and apprehension. While some recognize the undeniable benefits of AI, notably for speeding up creation and offering unprecedented experiences, others remain deeply wary of a possible loss of authenticity.

Recent surveys show that nearly 60% of players questioned in 2025 want studios to guarantee a balance where humans keep control over major creative aspects. This expectation marks a turning point where transparency and communication become as important as the quality of the game itself.

Moreover, some players express a pragmatic compromise: accepting AI as a tool for technical improvement or correction, provided that narrative and artistic content remain supervised and validated by human teams.

Finally, the fear of losing jobs in the development sector also influences the relationship to AI. Protecting creative professions, seen as the backbone of video game wealth, feeds increased vigilance from the community.

Faced with this complexity, the coexistence between players, developers, and artificial intelligences calls for an open dialogue, capable of defining together the rules of the game in the digital age, preserving both innovation and respect for the human element.

Future prospects: artificial intelligence serving ethics and innovative gameplay

Despite heated debates, the future of artificial intelligence in the video game universe is not doomed to permanent antagonisms. On the contrary, several avenues open up to integrate AI ethically and creatively, offering unprecedented opportunities to players and developers.

One of the most promising advances concerns using AI to improve game accessibility, by automatically adapting difficulty levels or offering personalized real-time assistance. Such devices can enrich the user experience, notably for players with disabilities or those discovering a new discipline.

Moreover, artificial intelligence could foster a deeper interactive narration, by generating modular scenarios according to the player’s choices, thus reinforcing immersion and replayability. This innovation supported by rigorous framing would pave the way for more lively and responsive games.

Finally, collaboration between humans and AI could be understood as a true technological brainstorming, where the algorithm proposes unprecedented combinations while creators choose and refine relevant ideas. This hybrid partnership could lead to original productions while respecting ethical requirements.

These prospects, far from being utopian, require increased training for teams and continuous dialogue with the community, in order to inscribe artificial intelligence in a balanced and responsible dynamic. The lesson of recent controversies thus calls for constant vigilance but also an open mind focused on the future of video games.