The BAFTA Game Awards have kicked off the excitement for 2025 with the announcement of their longlist, and the buzz is palpable. Among the notable titles vying for the coveted Best Game award are none other than the legendary franchises, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, along with the innovative Astro Bot. This longlist, comprising 58 standout games, reflects the opinions of BAFTA's 1,300 members from the gaming community, showcasing the diversity and talent present in today's game development scene.
This year's longlist is especially thrilling as it not only features AAA titles but also highlights independent games gaining traction with players. Players can expect to see much-lauded projects such as EA Sports FC 25, Lego Horizon Adventures, and Star Wars Outlaws alongside indie darlings like Animal Well and Thank Goodness You’re Here!. The blend of genres and styles offers something for every gamer out there.
A key detail to note is the indications of this year's developers’ achievements, with the longlist serving as both recognition and celebration of the effort and creativity invested by those behind the screens. Notably, past winners are making waves as well, with games like Baldur’s Gate 3, which dominated the last awards, reappearing on this fresh longlist due to continuous updates and improvements post-launch by the acclaimed development studio, Larian Studios.
Tara Saunders, the chair of BAFTA’s Games committee, expressed her excitement surrounding the longlist: "The BAFTA Game Awards longlist is our opportunity to celebrate a wide range of outstanding games ahead of the BAFTA nominations on 4 March next year. Today we’re shining a light on 58 games, as voted for by our wonderful BAFTA members – 1,300 industry professionals whose work brings games to life. It’s always an exciting time of year when everyone shares their lists for the best games of the year and I hope ours will be talked about and give players something new to discover and play with family and friends over the festive season."
The longlist’s broad spectrum encapsulates the overall evolution of gaming, from high-investment projects by major studios to the creative narratives and experimental gameplay of indie developers. The presence of titles like Batman: Arkham Shadow, which dives deep within the virtual reality space, and Silent Hill 2, which sees its revival from the classic horror roots, demonstrates the diverse experience games now bring to the table.
Among the longlist, players will find other fascinating titles such as Black Myth: Wukong, Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2, and Helldivers 2, indicating not only the creativity flowing through modern gaming but also the willingness of developers to explore different genres and cater to varying gamer preferences. This year's longlist reflects the industry's drive toward innovation and audience engagement.
The release of the nominees for the awards ceremony set to take place next April has gamers eagerly awaiting how the final selections will shape up. Nominees for 16 more categories have yet to be finalized, adding layers of anticipation to this year’s awards. Gamers, marked their calendars for confirmation on the nominees on March 5, which will clarify which titles will have the chance to compete for the prestigious awards.
April 8 is the day when everything culminates, as the winners will be announced at a high-profile ceremony, celebrating the artistic and technical achievements recognized throughout the gaming year. Until then, the gaming community will buzz with discussions, analyses, and debates as enthusiasts weigh their predictions and favorites from the longlist.
While sticking to tradition, the BAFTA Game Awards is adapting alongside changing technologies and gaming landscapes, creating room for titles and studios of all sizes. With games continuously raising the bar, this year’s longlist serves as not just entries for awards but as milestones representing hard work, innovation, and community engagement within gaming. So as the industry charges forward, players are invited to join the celebration and learn about new titles, experiences, and perhaps find new favorites as they explore the heroic adventures and creative challenges made possible through gaming.