Legendary designer Peter Molyneaux, the creator of Black & White, Fable and Spore, has been knighted by the French government. They have bestowed upon him the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (The Knighthood in the Order of Arts and Letters). He was presented with his medallion by Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, the French Minister for Culture in a ceremony at the Ministry of Culture in Paris on March 12.

Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres said “I am particularly glad to salute today a veritable visionary, who shows for every creation of his own how video games have their place in this stateroom”.

Upon receiving his medallion Peter Molyneux said, “I am extremely proud to have received this honour and would like to thank the French Ministry of Culture for this recognition. I would also like to say that I see this as a credit for everyone at Lionhead Studios, all our games are a team effort. I am just the figurehead. It is fantastic to see video games honoured in this way. ”

The Order of Arts and Letters is an Order of France and its purpose is to recognize significant contributions to the arts, literature and the propagation these fields. Established in 1957, the honor is bestowed upon luminaries from the world of film, literature, art and entertainment; recipients do not have to be French citizens to receive the award.