From Polygon · Ari Notis · · 2m
Big Walk AI Controversy Sparks GOTY Debate
Big Walk faces Game of the Year odds after IGF jurors reject AI use in its code.
In brief
Big Walk faces Game of the Year odds after IGF jurors reject AI use in its code. Big Walk's Game of the Year chances are threatened by IGF jurors refusing to vote for games using generative AI tools. Originally reported by Polygon.
Big Walk AI Controversy
Big Walk faces a crossroads as it prepares for awards season after a recent disclosure of AI use from its developer.
“Big Walk, one of the best-reviewed games of 2026 and by all measures a Game of the Year darling”
IGF Jurors' Stance
A group of 19 Independent Game Festival jurors, including Immortality director Sam Barlow and Friends at the Table host Austin Walker, stated they would not vote for any game using generative AI tools.
“On Monday, a group of 19 Independent Game Festival (IGF) jurors, including Immortality director Sam Barlow and Friends at the Table host Austin Walker, shared a statement saying they would not vote for any game that used generative AI tools in any capacity, including for code”
House House Disclosure
House House revealed that less than 0.1% of Big Walk's code used generative AI tools to help solve technical challenges and bugs.
“House House revealed in its voluntary disclosure to the IGF that "well under 0.1% of Big Walk 's code" had anything to do with generative AI tools”
AI Tool Usage Details
The studio used large language models to generate a baseline code that was then modified, with a lighting issue example involving about 10 lines of AI-generated code.
“House House also noted that the studio used large language models (llms) to generate a baseline, which the team then "modified into game code"”
IGF Jurors' Rationale
The jurors cite negative impacts of AI on the economy, labor market, environment, and global information pipeline as reasons for their stance.
“The group of jurors cite several reasons for its stance against generative AI, including the technology’s widely documented negative impacts on the economy, the labor market, the environment, and the global informational pipeline”
Industry Context
This stance marks a public expansion of the tent among influential games industry groups, with programmers thanking jurors for considering coding an art form.
“Critically, the inclusion of code as part of the hardline is not something you see every day”
Controversy Over Disclosure
Some argue House House betrayed trust by hiding AI use despite Steam requiring disclosure for generative AI tools.
“If the use of an llm was no big deal, the argument goes, why hide it?”
Potential Impact on Awards
Big Walk was nearly a lock for Game of the Year but IGF jurors' stance could affect its awards season chances.
“On Monday, Big Walk was all but a lock for a Game of the Year nomination, according to Polygon’s ongoing analysis of the race”
Historical Context
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 swept the 2025 Game Awards but had its Game of the Year award stripped over AI inclusion.
“Yes, the technically indie game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 smashed records and swept the 2025 Game Awards, but it also broke into the mainstream in an undeniable way”
Industry Response
Developers from The Last of Us to Wendy’s JRPG have publicly refused AI tools, while firms like Embark Studios and Epic Games use AI in their games.
“Developers of all strata, from the creator of The Last of Us to the studio behind the Wendy’s JRPG, have taken public stances against the technology, refusing to use AI whatsoever in any part of development”
House House Statement
House House admitted lack of an internal AI policy was a failure and pledged to create a more comprehensive policy going forward.
“Big Walk was developed without an internal AI usage policy in place, and we consider that lack of policy a failure”
The takeaway
Big Walk's Game of the Year chances are threatened by IGF jurors refusing to vote for games using generative AI tools.
