The BAFTA Game Awards 2025 are set to celebrate the best video games of the year during a ceremony taking place on April 8 at 19:00 BST / 20:00 CEST, held at the iconic venue in London. Announced by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), the nominations reveal the incredible array of talent and creativity present within the gaming industry over the past year.
This year, the BAFTA awards committee, consisting of 1,300 members, reviewed all titles released throughout 2024 before finalizing nominations across 17 categories, including Game of the Year, Best British Game, and Best Debut Game. Leading the pack with 11 nods is Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, recognized for its ambitious storytelling and immersive gameplay. Following closely, Astrobot garnered 8 nominations, having previously been awarded Game of the Year at December's The Game Awards.
Among the nominees for the most prestigious category—Game of the Year—are Astrobot, Balatro, Black Myth: Wukong, Helldivers 2, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, and Thank Goodness You’re Here!. Each of these titles showcases exceptional design and innovation, pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment.
The full list of nominations covers various categories, demonstrating the diversity of gaming experiences available today. For Best Game, nominees include:
- Astrobot
- Balatro
- Black Myth: Wukong
- Helldivers 2
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
- Thank Goodness You're Here!
Also nominated for Best Animation are Astrobot, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, LEGO Horizon Adventures, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, Thank Goodness You’re Here!, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. Titles like Astrobot and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 are celebrated not only for their animation quality but also for their engaging narratives.
For the Best Audio Achievement, nominated games include Animal Well, Astrobot, Helldivers 2, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, Star Wars: Outlaws, and Still Wakes the Deep. The emphasis on audio highlights how integral sound design is to the overall gaming experience.
The awards also pay tribute to British games, with nominees such as A Highland Song, LEGO Horizon Adventures, Paper Trail, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, Still Wakes the Deep, and Thank Goodness You’re Here!. This category celebrates homegrown talent and innovation within the UK gaming sector.
Notably, both Animal Well and Balatro are recognized as debut games, showcasing the potential of new developers making their mark on the industry. Other debut nominees include Pacific Drive, The Plucky Squire, and Tales of Kenzera: ZAU.
Many titles nominated for the Game Beyond Entertainment category, including Botany Manor, Kind Words 2, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, Tetris Forever, and Vampire Therapist, indicates the depth of themes explored through interactive storytelling.
A range of performers are also recognized, with nominations for performers in leading and supporting roles. For leading roles, nominees include Ale Newman for Still Wakes the Deep and Melina Juergens for Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, highlighting the impressive performances contributing to the storytelling. Supporting roles feature Aldís Amah Hamilton, also from Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, showcasing the depth and talent within these productions.
The BAFTA Game Awards serve not merely to highlight the best games but also to reflect on the gaming industry’s growth and its cultural significance. With new technologies advancing, the interactive arts continue to flourish, and awards such as these celebrate the innovations and narratives gaming has to offer.
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