Swedens royal family honors Hazelight Studios with a design award for their game Split Fiction, marking the first time a videogame has received such an accolade.
In the ever-evolving world of gaming, one name that has been making waves is Justin Wagner. Not only is he a writer for PC Gamer, but he's also an ardent birdwatcher and a passionate gamer with a particular penchant for games that exhibit ambition over scruples.
In 2025, Wagner found himself at the centre of a whirlwind of excitement when his favourite game, Split Fiction, received the Excellent Swedish Design award. This prestigious accolade, granted annually by Svensk Form, the Swedish Design Association, had never before been bestowed upon a videogame.
The game's creator, Josef Fares, was present at the award ceremony on September 17, 2025, where Prince Carl Philip of Sweden handed over the award. Split Fiction was one of a dozen recipients of the Excellent Swedish Design award that year, marking a historic moment for the gaming industry.
The game designer Bobbi A. Sand, who was part of the curation jury, played a significant role in Split Fiction's nomination. The game's unique design and innovative gameplay were undoubtedly factors that contributed to its success. In just two days, Split Fiction sold a million copies, a testament to its popularity.
But the excitement didn't stop there. A movie based on Split Fiction is currently in development, though its status remains uncertain. Wagner, who is currently working on an article about Split Fiction, is hopeful for a comeback of real-time with pause combat, a feature that made the game a standout in the industry.
Wagner's love for gaming isn't limited to Split Fiction. He has a history of playing and writing about retro shooters, CRPGs, and '90s games. His latest article for PC Gamer discusses upcoming releases, best PC games, free PC games, best FPS games, best RPGs, and best co-op games, among other latest gaming news.
As for the movie based on Split Fiction, Wagner remains optimistic. "The game's unique blend of storytelling and gameplay makes it a perfect candidate for a movie adaptation," he says. "I, for one, can't wait to see how it translates to the big screen."
In the meantime, gamers can look forward to Wagner's insights on Split Fiction and the gaming industry in his upcoming articles for PC Gamer.
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