Popular streamer shroud called The Game Awards "rigged" after Arc Raiders didn't get a "Game of the Year" nomination despite his active campaign.
Michael "shroud" Grzesiek urged viewers to vote for the Embark Studios project, while Asmongold responded that the game was no match for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Shroud had already accused TGA of rigging in 2024, and has now repeated it.
He was on the air when the list of nominees was announced, and reacted irritably to the appearance of Death Stranding 2 and Donkey Kong Bananza: "Bias. Bias paid for by Nintendo," hinting at the connections between Keighley and Kojima, as well as Nintendo's money. When Arc Raiders didn't appear on the list, he covered his face with his hand:
They're just not ready. But at least they nominated it for something ["Best Multiplayer Game" category - ed.]. I honestly thought they wouldn't nominate it for anything because they were afraid of the negative reaction.
Shroud stated that single-player games are "too easy" to win:
"We know Expedition will win. It'll take twelve categories."
He added:
"Imagine if Donkey Kong wins. If Donkey Kong wins - zero trust. No one plays Donkey Kong Bananza. I'll vote for Donkey Kong. Where do I vote?"
The Game Awards will take place on December 11, 2025. Shroud promised to play the game that takes GOTY, even though he considers the ceremony a fiction.
