The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) is an Order of France and its purpose is the recognition of significant contributions to the arts, literature, or the propagation of these fields. However, recipients do not have to be French citizens. So luminaries from the international worlds of film, literature, art and entertainment have been similarly honored since the order was established in 1957.

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 honor 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 honored in this way."