Two Decades of BAFTA Games Awards: A Legacy of Excellence

The BAFTA Games Awards are celebrating their 20th anniversary, with the ceremony set to take place at London's Southbank Centre. Over the past two decades, the gaming industry has undergone significant transformations, from the rise of online multiplayer and smartphone gaming to the adoption of 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 by evolving the awards to reflect the craft of making games, with 257 games entered this year across various devices, genres, and categories. The BAFTAs bring prestige to the gaming industry, thanks to their heritage in film and TV, and help to convey the importance of games to a wider audience. Hebblethwaite emphasizes that the organization's mission is to champion the creative and cultural significance of entertainment, with games being a key medium. The awards have become a benchmark for excellence in the industry, with the winner selection process involving voting members and juries. While there are other gaming awards ceremonies, the BAFTAs stand out due to their reputation and cultural importance. The ceremony has also become more prominent, with media coverage and a livestream that allows for a wider reach. Hebblethwaite highlights the importance of recognizing the teamwork involved in game development, as opposed to the individual-focused approach often seen in film and TV. The organization aims to treat game developers with the same respect and reverence as their film and TV counterparts, through masterclasses, interviews, and other events. Despite the growth in mainstream awareness and acceptance of video games, the industry still faces barriers to overcome, with BAFTA aiming to play a role in promoting the cultural significance of games and giving them the same treatment as film and TV.