No one expected the President of France to lean on a GTA San Andreas meme while talking about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and claims of the medium being “demonized.” Emmanuel Macron presided over a ceremony honoring the creators of Expedition 33, but the speech that followed was widely misinterpreted. The backlash came fast, and the president moved to set the record straight.

We did not anticipate writing about Emmanuel Macron this often, yet this is already the fourth time in three years, and once again it’s tied to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The French president has been one of the most visible supporters of Sandfall Interactive’s RPG, previously describing it as “a brilliant example of French audacity and creativity.” This time he returned to the subject via the most recognizable GTA San Andreas meme, not to celebrate, but to address the controversy sparked by his remarks.

The dispute flared during the event where the French state honored the developers of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, or more precisely, in the speech delivered afterward. Macron publicly reaffirmed that he wants scientific research encouraged on the impact of artificial intelligence and video games on children and adolescents. Many took issue with the timing, arguing that it sounded like the interactive medium was being framed as a problem at a moment that was supposed to celebrate it.

J’ai (encore) fait bondir les gamers…

J’ai vu beaucoup d’incompréhensions.
Alors je vais être clair.

Les faits : j’ai toujours soutenu le jeu vidéo, la popculture – industrie, création, culture, emplois.… pic.twitter.com/Wl7P3REHxH

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 7, 2026

Macron says he was misunderstood – and wants science in the middle of the debate

With reactions piling up, the president turned to social media to clarify what he meant. In a post on X, Macron invoked the now-famous “Ah shit, here we go again” line from San Andreas and said his comments had been “misinterpreted.” He also reiterated his long-running support for the video game industry, pop culture, and esports, pointing to initiatives meant to boost professional competition.

At the same time, Macron stressed that support does not mean ignoring potential risks. He noted that many parents observe some young people spending much of the day – and even the night – playing, while minors also access PEGI 18-rated titles. In his view, those realities raise public health, education, and responsibility concerns, particularly when excessive play replaces other social activities and can affect both physical and mental well-being.

Macron then clarified that he was not calling for a ban on video games, but for a collaborative effort grounded in scientific research. The aim, he said, is to measure real impacts, dismantle prejudices, and bring solid data into public debate with researchers, scientists, and healthcare professionals involved. He closed with this line: “You can love video games and, at the same time, analyze certain practices and their effects without taboos.”

Forrás: 3djuegos