BAFTA Games Awards

Lore & Background

The BAFTA Games Awards began in 2004, following the restructuring of the BAFTA Interactive Entertainment Awards. The first dedicated ceremony took place on 1 March 2004, honoring games from 2003. Over the years, the awards have recognized a wide range of titles, from Grand Theft Auto: Vice City winning Best Game at the first ceremony to Half-Life 2 sweeping the 2004 ceremony. The ceremonies are typically held in March or April, with additional awards sometimes given just prior to the Electronic Entertainment Expo event in May or June. The awards have evolved to include categories like Best Game, Artistic Achievement, and Game Innovation, with winners chosen by BAFTA's membership.

Reader's Guide

The BAFTA Games Awards categories have changed over the years. Defunct categories include Action Game, Adventure Game, Animation or Intro, Children's Game, Design, Game Boy Advance Game, Game on Any Platform – The Year's Best Game, GameCube, Mobile Game, Multiplayer, Original Music, PC, PS2, Racing, Sound, Sports, Strategy, Sunday Times Reader Award for Games, Technical Achievement, Xbox, and Special Award (Games) from the 2003 ceremony. The 2004 ceremony added Animation, Art Direction, Audio Achievement, Best Game, Handheld, Online Multiplayer, Originality, and Technical Direction. The 2006 ceremony introduced Action and Adventure, Artistic Achievement, Casual and Social, Character, Gamers' Award, Innovation, Screenplay, Simulation, and Soundtrack. The 2007 ceremony added Story and Character, Strategy and Simulation, Use of Audio, and BAFTA One's To Watch Award. The 2008 ceremony added Family & Social, Story and Character, and GAME Award. The 2009 ceremony added Family & Social and Use of Online. The 2010 ceremony added Puzzle, Social Network Game, and Technical Innovation. The 2011 ceremony added Debut Game, Game Design, Game Innovation, Mobile & Handheld, Online – Browser, Online Multiplayer, Performer, and Sports/Fitness. The 2012 ceremony added British Game. The 2013 ceremony added Action & Adventure and Strategy & Simulation. The 2014 ceremony added Original Property and Persistent Game. The 2015 ceremony added Music and Original Property. The Academy Fellowship has been awarded to Will Wright (2007), Nolan Bushnell (2008), Shigeru Miyamoto (2009), Peter Molyneux (2010), Gabe Newell (2012), Rockstar Games (2013), and David Braben (2014).

Did You Know?

• In 2007, Wii Sports won three awards: Casual, Gameplay, and Sports.
• The 2013 ceremony saw The Last of Us win five awards, including Best Game and a Performer award for Ashley Johnson.

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