Michel Gagné’s professional career has spanned two-and-a-half decades, yet in all that time, and with all his accomplishments, he never won a major entertainment award.

Until this year.

Michel has finally won an Annie Award, and, an award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

First, let’s jump back to 2005. Michel’s Insanely Twisted Shadow Puppets, shown on Nickelodeon’s “Halloween Shriekin’ Weekend,” inspired him to further explore the concept into the realm of video games. In 2007, he met with Joe Olson, CEO of Fuelcell Games, to develop and produce Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet.

After months of negotiation, an agreement was reached with Microsoft to release the game on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet made its debut at PAX East in Boston, MA, March 11-13, 2011.

In the game, an alien scientist, riding a flying saucer, explores Shadow Planet. Can he survive its sinister shadow creatures and mechanical apparitions? His fate is in your hands. See here for the various promotional trailers.

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet has since won a slew of industry awards, but most notable are:

(1. An Annie Award for Best Animated Video Game. Upon accepting his Annie, Michel poured out a resounding, “Yesssssssssssssss!” To which I heartily concur.

(2. A 2012 BAFTA Award for Best Debut Game. He and his partner Joe Olson didn’t attend the March 16 ceremony in London, but here is the presentation of the award:

Looks like the presenter is traveling at warp speed, doesn’t it?

Michel’s BAFTA trophy arrived on May 12.

A comprehensive list of Michel’s awards and nominations can be found here.

Congratulations to the Cosmic Mind!