Introduction: The Game Awards and the Persistent Question of ‘Indie’
The annual Game Awards ceremony has long served as a barometer for what is new, daring, and commercially viable in video games. This year’s nominations—featuring Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 among a group that also includes Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance—ignite a familiar debate: what does it mean for a game to be “indie”? The term, once a clear marker of small teams and limited budgets, now seems increasingly porous in a landscape where ambitious projects can come from anywhere, yet still attract major prestige and widespread attention.
What the Nominations Tells Us About the Industry
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s presence in the lineup is a case study in how the industry defines indie in 2025. The game appears alongside heavyweights and beloved indies alike, challenging traditional boundaries. The list underscores several trends:
- Capital and scope aren’t the sole determinants of “indie” status. A game can carry a distinctive, author-driven vision with limited budget yet compete in a prestige category because of its originality, creative risk, or niche appeal.
- Audience expectations have shifted. Players often seek unique storytelling, experimental mechanics, and artisanal design—hallmarks that historically aligned with indie culture but are increasingly found outside traditional studio sizes.
- Platforming and narrative experimentation enjoy renewed relevance. The nominations emphasize how indie-like creativity can cross into mainstream visibility, blurring lines between small teams and established studios.
The Debate: Does the Label Help or Hinder?
Critics argue that the term “indie” has become a marketing label as much as a descriptor. In today’s ecosystem, even smaller teams can tap global marketing, crowdfunding, and partnerships that resemble larger productions. Yet the “indie” badge often signals a promise of fresh ideas, less risk-averse design, and a willingness to push boundaries. When Clair Obscur lands alongside titles like Death Stranding 2 and Hollow Knight: Silksong, it amplifies the tension: should we measure merit by budget and studio pedigree or by creative risk and player impact?
Implications for Developers
For developers, the evolving use of indie as a label affects visibility, funding, and audience expectations. A game may chart a path similar to traditional indies—intimate scope, distinctive art direction, strong atmospheric components—while still leveraging sophisticated production pipelines. This reality can complicate marketing, press coverage, and even award category placement, prompting studios to think strategically about how they present their work to fans and critics alike.
What This Means for Players
Players benefit from a broader spectrum of titles that push the boundaries of storytelling, gameplay, and art direction. The Game Awards lineup demonstrates that innovation isn’t confined to a single size or budget. Fans may discover unexpected favorites among “indie-leaning” games that maintain high production values and cinematic ambition, redefining what qualifies as indie in contemporary gaming culture.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Indie in Major Nominations
As the industry continues to intersect with blockbuster budgets and indie sensibilities, the term “indie” will likely continue to morph. The Game Awards, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 among its nominees, serves as a microcosm of that shift. The challenge for critics and fans is to recognize the distinct contributions of small teams without forcing them into a rigid binary of indie versus triple-A. In practice, that means celebrating creativity, risk-taking, and craft—hallmarks that define both indie roots and modern, ambitious game development.
