Michael Grzesiek, known online as Shroud, publicly attacked The Game Awards after Arc Raiders did not appear on the ceremony’s Game of the Year shortlist. The reaction arrived as part of a wider online pushback over which titles cut. Shroud described the awards as rigged and argued that Arc Raiders deserved recognition alongside the nominees. The streamer has a large audience and his comments quickly circulated across social feeds, driving fresh attention to the debate about how awards shortlists are chosen.
You can watch shroud’s clip below:
Arc Raiders has been a lightning rod for discussion for several reasons. Critics and players have debated elements like the game’s use of AI in voice work and how that should factor into coverage and judging. For background on that line of debate, see the report where the Nexon CEO defended Arc Raiders’ AI voices and said other companies use AI.
There is also an ongoing conversation about the makeup of this year’s nominations. The Game Awards nominee list leaned heavily toward certain platforms, which some observers say may influence which projects get visibility during awards season. Shroud’s comments join a string of high-profile reactions that raise questions about transparency and taste in awards voting. Developers, publishers, and fans differ on how much weight to give public opinion and how awards bodies should balance critical, commercial, and cultural factors when they select nominees.
Readers are invited to share their thoughts and hot takes, and to follow the conversation with us on X, Bluesky, and YouTube.
ARC Raiders
Developed by Embark Studios
ARC Raiders is a multiplayer, extraction adventure, set in a lethal future earth, ravaged by a mysterious mechanized threat known as ARC.
- Genre: Shooter
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
- Modes: Multiplayer, Co-operative
- Release: 2025-10-30
- Publisher: Embark Studios
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Age Rating:
ESRB T / PEGI 16 / GRAC 15+ / USK 18 / CLASS_IND 14 / ACB M
- IGDB Rating: 89.7/100
