Everything You Need to Know About the BAFTA Games Awards 2025 🎮🏆
The 21st BAFTA Games Awards took place this week at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall, celebrating the best in video game development. Hosted by the comedic talent of Phil Wang, a self-proclaimed gaming enthusiast, the event marked over two decades of honoring both groundbreaking new titles and the games that paved the way. Don’t believe the hype? Here’s how BAFTA does it:
In a bold move on April 4th, BAFTA’s Instagram ignited debate (and maybe a little controversy) by ranking the Most Influential Games of all time, with Shenmue surprisingly taking the top spot. Despite being largely overlooked in recent years, this action-adventure title from Japan made a statement. This is a controversial ranking considering iconic games have been placed lower such as Super Mario Bros and Minecraft. However, when considering *influence*, Shenmue arguably revolutionized the gaming landscape as one of the first ‘open world games’ and introduced interactive NPCs. While its impact might be hard to grasp today, in 1999, it was a game-changer. Was this leaderboard designed to stir the pot, or simply a statement of fact?
Here are some of the key winners from the ceremony:
- Best Game: Astro Bot stole the show, grabbing five awards, including Best Game, Game Design, Animation, Audio Achievement, and Family Game.
- Best British Game: Thank Goodness You're Here! was recognized for its quirky humor and adventurous spirit.
- Best Performer: Alec Newman's performance in Still Wakes the Deep earned him the Best Performer award, contributing to the game's impressive three-award total.
- Technical Achievement: Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, despite leading with 11 nominations, took home the award for Technical Achievement.
The ceremony also showcased performances by Welsh guitarist Peredur ap Gwynedd (known for his work with Pendulum) and singer-songwriter Freya Ridings, who gave a live debut of her new track "I Can't Hear It Now."
A highlight of the night was the BAFTA Fellowship awarded to Japanese composer Yoko Shimomura, celebrated for her iconic scores in games like Kingdom Hearts.
The 2025 BAFTA Games Awards highlighted the UK's vital position in the gaming world, showcasing both cutting-edge indie projects and major contributions from established studios.