During a recent live stream, popular gamer Shroud ignited significant discussion within the gaming community by expressing his dismay over the absence of Embark Studios’ sci-fi shooter, ARC Raiders, from the nominees for The Game Awards 2025. His heartfelt reaction came shortly after the list of nominees was revealed, and it was evident that he felt the omission was unjust.
Shroud, a former professional Counter-Strike player, had been an outspoken advocate for ARC Raiders in the lead-up to the nominations. He had passionately encouraged his followers to support the game, highlighting its innovative use of artificial intelligence. So, when he discovered that ARC Raiders was not included in the Game of the Year category, his disappointment was palpable.
On his stream, Shroud responded with astonishment, questioning the integrity of the selection process. «Biased. Biased. Paid off Nintendo,» he remarked, particularly taken aback by the inclusion of titles such as Death Stranding 2 and Donkey Kong Bananza. He went on to reflect on why he believed ARC Raiders might have been snubbed, suggesting that «the world is just not ready for AI in video games, not yet.»
The streamer also speculated that the awards committee may have shied away from nominating the game due to concerns about potential backlash. «I genuinely thought they weren’t going to nominate it for anything, because they were afraid to get backlash,» he stated, shedding light on the perceived hesitance to recognize innovative titles.
While ARC Raiders did receive a nod for Best Multiplayer Game, which Shroud acknowledged during his stream, it did little to alleviate his disappointment with the broader outcome. His commentary quickly gained traction on various social media platforms, sparking debates among fans about whether his views were driven by a genuine concern over fairness in major award shows or a personal connection to the game itself.
As the anticipation builds, The Game Awards 2025 is set to air live on December 11, allowing fans to engage through public voting at TheGameAwards.com. Notably, fan votes will account for 10 percent of each category’s final outcome, while more than 100 media outlets will determine the remaining 90 percent, adding an intriguing layer to the selection process. The nominees for Game of the Year include Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II.
