Former professional first-person shooter player Shroud has stirred conversation regarding the classification of games in award ceremonies. He recently expressed his belief that Arc Raiders should earn the title of ‘Game of the Year’ over frontrunner Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Now, he is proposing that the categories for single-player and multiplayer games should be separated at major gaming awards, including The Game Awards.
Despite remarks from the director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, who stated that winning ‘Game of the Year’ was not the team’s primary objective, the title is currently a strong contender for the accolade. It is also nominated for the Ultimate Game of the Year at the upcoming Golden Joystick Awards later this month. Meanwhile, Arc Raiders has garnered significant acclaim since its release, positioning itself as a notable late contender in the gaming landscape of 2025.
During a recent livestream, Shroud emphasized the need for distinct categories by stating, “I feel like Game of the Year needs to be two different categories,” advocating for separate recognitions for multiplayer and single-player experiences. He argued that single-player titles have a competitive edge, saying, “It’s so easy for a single-player game to win.”
Shroud highlighted the fact that the last multiplayer game to win the overall title was Overwatch in 2016. When his teammate mentioned that It Takes Two won in 2021, Shroud contested this by clarifying that it is a cooperative title rather than a purely multiplayer game. His comments come amidst a backdrop where Baldur’s Gate 3, which offers both single-player and multiplayer modes, took home the ‘Best Multiplayer Game’ award in 2023.
While Shroud’s suggestion for separate categories has sparked debate, it is worth noting that there already exists a Best Multiplayer Game category at The Game Awards. This category has been awarded annually since the inception of the ceremony. Arc Raiders is anticipated to be a strong competitor for this specific award, with titles such as Marvel Rivals and Split Fiction also in the running.
Just recently, Arc Raiders achieved a remarkable milestone, reaching over 460,000 concurrent players on Steam. This figure surpasses the previous all-time record held by Helldivers 2, showcasing the game’s rising popularity.
The ongoing discussion surrounding the classification of games in award ceremonies raises important questions about how the gaming community perceives and values different gaming experiences. As the awards season approaches, the dialogue initiated by Shroud may lead to a reevaluation of how achievements in gaming are recognized across various forms of gameplay.
