Meet Stanley Baxton, the BAFTA Breakthrough Awardee Redefining Game Development

Stanley Baxton, a visionary narrative game designer, has made a name for himself as a solo developer, specializing in creating thought-provoking, satirical, and queer-themed games. His prior experience as a game designer at Supermassive Games has influenced his unique approach. Baxton's selection as a BAFTA Breakthrough is a testament to his groundbreaking work on 'Latex, Leather, Lipstick, Love, Lust,' an interactive fiction piece that explores the journey of a trans man navigating a kink club. When asked about being a BAFTA Breakthrough, Baxton expressed his surprise and gratitude, stating that it felt like an acknowledgment of the importance of his work and the communities he represents. He believes that his selection is a nod to the unspoken voices in the gaming industry, which often prioritizes profit over passion and creativity. Baxton's biggest grievance with the gaming industry is its tendency to overlook and undervalue games created by individuals or small groups, particularly those that don't conform to traditional production models or cater to mainstream tastes. He argues that these games, often made with limited budgets and resources, are just as valuable and deserving of recognition as their big-budget counterparts. As someone who has experienced the challenges of being a marginalized game developer, Baxton hopes that his inclusion in the BAFTA Breakthrough program will help shed light on the importance of supporting and amplifying the voices of underrepresented creators. He believes that the gaming industry's focus on profit and commercialization has led to the neglect of games that are made for the sake of art and self-expression, rather than financial gain. Baxton's own experiences with the gaming industry have been marked by frustration and disappointment. Despite his talent and dedication, he has faced numerous rejections and has been ghosted by potential employers. However, he remains committed to his craft and is determined to use his platform to advocate for change and promote greater inclusivity and diversity in the industry. The recent crackdown on adult games on platforms like Itch and Steam has also had a significant impact on Baxton's work. He argues that the issue is not with the games themselves, but rather with the payment processors and legislators who are driving the censorship. Baxton believes that the focus should be on promoting education, awareness, and acceptance, rather than trying to restrict or ban certain types of content. As a BAFTA Breakthrough awardee, Baxton hopes to use his platform to open doors for other marginalized game developers and to challenge the status quo in the industry. He is currently pursuing a PhD in punk indie game development, which explores the intersection of game development, art, and activism. Through his work, Baxton aims to create a more inclusive and equitable gaming industry, one that values creativity, diversity, and self-expression above profit and commercialization.