Former professional first-person shooter player Shroud has voiced his opinion on the ongoing debate surrounding the Game of the Year award, suggesting that separate categories should be created for single-player and multiplayer games. This comes after his support for Arc Raiders over the leading contender, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which is expected to win the prestigious title at the upcoming The Game Awards.
Although the director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has stated that winning “isn’t something we aim for,” the game is favoured to take home the award, as it is also nominated for the Ultimate Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards. In contrast, Arc Raiders has emerged as a strong contender, rapidly gaining acclaim and recognition as one of the best-reviewed games of 2025.
During a recent live stream, Shroud emphasized his belief that the awards should recognize the distinct experiences offered by single-player and multiplayer games. He argued, “I feel like Game of the Year needs to be two different categories,” advocating for a clear distinction between the two formats. “It’s so easy for a single-player game to win,” he added, highlighting the historical underrepresentation of multiplayer titles in these awards.
Shroud pointed out that the last multiplayer game to win the Game of the Year award was Overwatch in 2016. When a teammate mentioned that It Takes Two won in 2021, Shroud countered, saying, “Bro, that’s not multiplayer,” referring to the game’s cooperative gameplay mechanics. He also noted that Baldur’s Gate 3, the winner of Best Multiplayer Game in 2023, allows players to engage in multiplayer throughout the entire game.
Despite Shroud’s assertions, the existence of a dedicated Best Multiplayer Game category at The Game Awards suggests that the industry already recognizes the differences between single-player and multiplayer experiences. The category has been awarded annually since the inception of the event, and Arc Raiders is anticipated to be a strong candidate for this year’s honours, competing against titles such as Marvel Rivals and Split Fiction.
In addition to the ongoing discussions about award categories, Arc Raiders has recently set a new record on Steam, reaching over 460,000 concurrent players, surpassing the previous high set by Helldivers 2. This surge in popularity underscores the game’s growing impact within the gaming community.
As the conversation around game awards evolves, Shroud’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment among gamers advocating for recognition of the unique contributions made by both single-player and multiplayer titles. The upcoming The Game Awards promises to be a pivotal moment in acknowledging these distinctions.
