Two Decades of Excellence: Celebrating 20 Years of BAFTA Games Awards

The 20th edition of the BAFTA Games Awards is set to take place at London's Southbank Centre, marking a major milestone for the organization. Since the first ceremony in 2004, the gaming industry has undergone significant transformations, with the rise of online multiplayer, smartphone gaming, virtual reality, and the growth of the indie scene. Luke Hebblethwaite, BAFTA's head of games, notes that the organization has adapted to these changes, evolving the awards to reflect the craft of making games and recognizing excellence across various genres and platforms. This year, 257 games were entered for the awards, competing on an equal footing. The BAFTA Games Awards stand out from other ceremonies due to their prestige and heritage, with a history of recognizing excellence in film and TV. Hebblethwaite emphasizes that BAFTA is an arts charity that champions the creative and cultural importance of entertainment, with games being a key medium. The organization's work in the games space, including the Breakthrough Brits and Young Game Designers competition, helps to promote understanding and appreciation of video games among a wider audience, including parents, teachers, and policymakers. The awards have also evolved in terms of media coverage, with the announcement of this year's host, Phil Wang, making the front page of the BBC News website. A recent survey found that 37% of 18-34 year olds in the UK watched or heard about the 2023 games awards, with around half of those who didn't watch the ceremony later finding out about the results. Despite the growth in awareness, there is still a disparity between the BAFTA Games Awards and the film and TV awards, with the games awards only being broadcast via livestream. Hebblethwaite argues that this is due to the gaming audience being more likely to watch online and the need to reach an international viewership. The organization is working to treat game developers with the same reverence as film and TV talent, recognizing the teamwork involved in game development. Hebblethwaite notes that companies often credit the team or studio during the nomination process, rather than individual names. BAFTA's wider work in the games space features experts from various disciplines, and the organization aims to build on this, giving technical artists, community managers, and other professionals a platform to share their knowledge and insights. While the industry still faces barriers to overcome, BAFTA is committed to promoting video games as a cultural medium, working to change perceptions and give games the same recognition as film and TV.