Move over, 'Elden Ring.' 'Clair Obscur' just broke the all-time game awards record.

Fans of the French game have been closely tracking its award count.
 By 
Timothy Beck Werth
 on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.
screenshot from clair obscur expedition 33 gameplay
Credit: Sandfall Interactive

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been on a tear lately. The French RPG, known for its gorgeous visuals, turn-based gameplay, and compelling narrative, swept the Game of the Year Awards, with a record eight wins and 12 nominations.

Now, Clair Obscur has set yet another record: It's surpassed Elden Ring as the most award-winning video game of all time.

There's no official body that tracks total wins in game awards, nor an official list of what counts toward the totals. (For instance, do you count Mashable's guide to the best video games of 2025? Spoiler alert: Clair Obscur only earned an honorable mention from our team.) However, fans have been closely tracking wins and losses at the ResetEra forum, and the evidence is clear: Clair Obscur now has more game of the year wins than any other game, topping previous record holders like Elden Ring.


You May Also Like

In years past, Elden Ring collected 435 GOTY wins; The Last of Us Part II earned 326; and Baldur's Gate III got 288. When Wccftech released its list of the best games of the year this week, Clair Obscur surpassed Elden Ring's total with 436 wins and counting.

That's right — there are still plenty of game awards yet to be announced. Per our colleagues at IGN, Clair Obscur can still pick up even more awards at the BAFTAs, DICE, and GDC Awards.

Clair Obscur likely would have reached this record sooner had it not been for a controversial snub at the Indie Game Awards, which takes a hard line against the use of generative AI. French studio Sandfall Entertainment was accused of using generative AI to create background textures, such as posters that appeared on a street lamp, claims that Sandfall Interactive denied.

Considering that generative AI is now a standard tool used by the vast majority of computer programmers, it seems extremely unlikely that no AI was used in the development of other popular video games. However, the Indie Game Awards stripped Sandfall Interactive and Clair Obscur of their Game of the Year and Debut Game awards.

While some video game players have also taken a hard line against the use of generative AI in game development, it's not clear that the average gamer cares. For instance, Arc Raiders faced fierce criticism for its use of generative AI back in November, and yet by January, it had become a hugely successful best-seller.

Controversies aside, Clair Obscur seems poised to pick up even more GOTY wins in the months ahead, setting a new high bar for critically acclaimed video games.

headshot of timothy beck werth, a handsome journalist with great hair
Timothy Beck Werth
Tech Editor

Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl.

Tim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He's currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33' stripped of Indie Game Awards due to generative AI use
Combat in 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.'



New discovery just broke the record for fastest-spinning large asteroid
Rubin Observatory's digital camera surveying the sky

Ring cameras' new Familiar Faces tool violates state privacy laws, privacy experts say
Ring founder Jamie Siminoff speaks during Amazon's product event in New York, US

More in Entertainment
Behold, the Lego x Crocs footwear collab that dreams are made of
young man wearing lego brick clogs in front of a newstand


The Pokémon TCG Unova Heavy Hitters Premium Collection is $25 off at Amazon
The Pokemon TCG Unova Heavy Hitters Premium Collection on a purple background

The best new floral Lego sets to brighten up your home
lego tulip bouquet in a vase on a windowsill

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Missouri
Pornhub on laptop screen

Trending on Mashable
Best 65-inch+ TVs for watching in dark and bright rooms
Samsung TV arranged on gray backdrop featuring colorful oval graphic

NYT Strands hints, answers for January 25, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 24, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 24, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

How to turn a tablet into an e-reader: The best settings and accessories
A hand holding an iPad Mini with the Libby app open
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!