Writer Rejects AI: ‘Pain’ is Key to Storytelling in Clair Obscur
The lead writer for the indie game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Jennifer Swedberg-Yen, has stated she will not utilize artificial intelligence tools to assist in the game’s narrative development. Swedberg-Yen articulated her position in a recent interview with GamesRadar+, emphasizing that the core of writing lies in personal expression and emotional engagement—elements she believes AI cannot replicate.
“From a writing perspective, I don’t think it would be very helpful for my personal operate,” Swedberg-Yen explained. “It’s not part of my workflow.” She described writing as a process encompassing both “joy and pain,” suggesting that the struggle to articulate thoughts and feelings is integral to the creative process. She distinguished between writers who readily embrace inspiration and those who persevere through difficulty, stating that both approaches are valid.
Swedberg-Yen’s concerns center on the ability of AI to genuinely understand and convey the emotional depth required for compelling storytelling. “It’s about actually understanding what the characters are feeling, thinking about what they would say, thinking about the emotions inside of yourself, understanding the character and their existence, translating that into words, and finding the truth of that moment,” she said. “I don’t see how AI can do that.”
She further elaborated that the purpose of writing is to express an internal perspective, a unique worldview, and personal experiences through characters and narratives. She fears that passing a story through the “black box” of AI—where the internal logic is opaque—risks losing crucial elements of that personal connection. “I sense like there’s a risk of losing some of that when it goes through AI, where it understands how to get from A to Z without understanding anything in between,” Swedberg-Yen stated.
The debate over AI’s role in creative fields has intensified as the technology becomes more sophisticated. While some see AI as a tool to streamline workflows and overcome creative blocks, others, like Swedberg-Yen, view it as fundamentally incompatible with the artistic process. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won Indie Game Awards in 2025, including Game of the Year, demonstrating the value placed on strong narrative in the gaming world.
Swedberg-Yen’s position aligns with a growing sentiment among some creators who believe that AI-generated content, while potentially efficient, lacks the nuance and emotional resonance of human-authored work. A report from Gamereactor UK echoed this sentiment, noting Swedberg-Yen’s belief that “the whole point of writing is to express what I have in my head.”