2024 SHOW NOTES
CONTENTS 2-3 WELCOME LETTERS 4-9 THE HOST: PHIL WANG 10-15 THE SPECIAL AWARD: SPECIALEFFECT 16-25 THE BREAKTHROUGHS: HOLLY REDDAWAY, KITT BYRNE, MICHAEL ANDERSON 26-31 THE YOUNG GAME DESIGNERS 32-37 20 YEARS OF GAMEPLAY 38-63 THE NOMINATIONS 64-65 HOW TO GET INVOLVED 66-78 THANKS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS #BAFTAGamesAwards Follow BAFTA BAFTA.ORG 1
As President of BAFTA, I am delighted to welcome you to the 2024 BAFTA Games Awards, bringing us together to celebrate the many extraordinary games made over the last year and the people who bring them to life. Occasions like tonight are wonderful showcases for the creative skill that powers the British and global screen arts, as well as providing a list of fantastic titles for players around the world to enjoy.
The screen arts are such an important part of the fabric of our nation. Our films, games and television shows are some of our best exports on the global stage, thanks to the skill, innovation and cultural dynamism of our country’s creative minds. But the industry relies on us to nurture the talent of tomorrow, so that everyone – no matter their background – has a real opportunity to tell their stories.
I know many in the room tonight have contributed to this important work in some way, whether through mentoring, offering your time to an initiative, or financial support. As a charity, BAFTA is hugely grateful to all those who support these endeavours. I am very proud to be involved with an organisation that is dedicated to breaking down barriers for the storytellers of the future. I warmly congratulate all those whose work features in this year’s longlists and nominations, and I wish you all a wonderful evening.
HRH The Prince of Wales, k . g . k . t . President of BAFTA
WELCOME
We are delighted to welcome you to the 20th BAFTA Games Awards, a special evening bringing together game developers, creatives and practitioners from around the world to celebrate the very best in games. This year, the quality and breadth has been astounding, and the nominations reflect a truly remarkable year.
Our growing community of 1,200 BAFTA Games members have voted for the nominees and winners in Best Game and British Game, with specialist juries voting in the wider craft categories. We’re grateful to them and to the BAFTA Games Committee, not only for their commitment to the Awards but also for their support of our year-round charitable work.
Games are a unique art form that allow players to become storytellers within enthralling interactive worlds. The Awards exist to champion talented creatives in all areas of development, design and production, and celebrate game making at its very best.
Tonight, we’re honoured to present the BAFTA Games Special Award to SpecialEffect for its vital work in enabling disabled young people and adults to play the games they love. Through groundbreaking use of technology, SpecialEffect brings community, agency and independence to those who would otherwise be denied the opportunity to play.
Congratulations to this year’s nominees. Have a wonderful night, and let the games begin!
Jane Millichip Sara Putt CEO, BAFTA BAFTA Chair
THE HOST
Phil Wang Takes the Controls
photography : dan fearon
Heroes are made, not born. According to Phil Wang, at least.
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“ I’M ALL ABOUT IMMERSION... ABOUT FEELING LIKE I’M ACTUALLY THERE. TO THE POINT THAT I OFTEN ABANDON GAMES IF HIT POINTS COME OFF OF ENEMIES – BECAUSE THAT WOULDN’T HAPPEN IN REAL LIFE ” – Phil Wang
“Awards are a tricky gig because comedy is deprecating, but awards are celebratory,” says the stand-up comedian, writer, actor and, as of tonight, BAFTA Games Awards host. “I guess trying to do both makes me a kind of modern hero.” Known for his ultra-droll routines, the British-Malaysian comedian has released a TV comedy special (Philly Philly Wang Wang), published a book (Sidesplitter: How To Be From Two Worlds At Once), and, as a Christmas treat for us all, appeared as a charming, all-singing, all-dancing version of his persona in Wonka. Less known is the fact that Wang is a former, selfconfessed “complete games addict” who, to this day, is “still fascinated and enthralled by games.” As tonight’s host, Wang has come full circle.
what was the first ever game that really got you hooked ?
The first game I ever played was Ski Free that came with Windows 95. But I could never figure out how to escape the yeti (spoilers) so never got hooked to be honest. It’s hard to say for sure, but I think the first game I played a lot of was either Sim Theme Park on the PC or WWF War Zone on the PS1. I still know the combo for a vertical suplex ( ).
what made 2023 an exciting year for you as a player ?
This is a bit embarrassing, but it was the year I finally got a Nintendo Switch and
played my first ever Zelda (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild). I know Baldur’s Gate 3 was everyone else’s 2023 video game achievement, but for me, it was catching up with 2017. you appeared in a very fun role in one of this year ’ s bafta - nominated films , wonka . what was that like ?
It was surreal! I’d never been in a movie before, let alone a big one like that. I fractured my arm on the first day. Never fractured anything before. I’ve never tap danced with Timothée Chalamet on a table before either. So, it was a lot of firsts.
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as a player and a fan , what constitutes amazing storytelling and craft in games , for you ?
I love a world that feels livedin: like it existed before you picked up the controller and will continue to exist after you put it down. I’m all about immersion. About feeling like I’m actually there. To the point that I often abandon games if hit points come off of enemies, because that wouldn’t happen in real life. And of course, a good story makes a huge difference. It’s easy to overlook good voice acting and dialogue, which is vital.
bafta young game designers is one of our biggest competitions for young people . did your own love of writing and creating –and gaming – ever tempt you to get into the industry for yourself ?
Yes! I applied for a job at Rocksteady when I graduated. By which I mean I sent them an email asking if I could work there. They were very enthusiastic about it. By which
I mean they never replied. And all because I – what? –had none of the relevant experience or skills?! Their loss! Though I have actually done some voice acting for an indie game called Eliza. Check it out!
what do you think keeps you interested and passionate about the world of games , and excited about the future of the industry ? They get more and more beautiful. And more and more immersive. And more interesting, and ambitious. When I was a kid I never thought that there’d be a time when you’d have to be a full-time professional to play all the good games available. But that time is now!
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THE SPECIAL AWARD
How SpecialEffect Changed The Game
text : laura kate dale
It was just a few short months ago that the video game industry reached an incredibly meaningful milestone – thanks, in no small part, to one UK charity.
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“ WE FOUND WAYS DISABLED YOUNG PEOPLE COULD USE TECHNOLOGY TO ACHIEVE ACCESS TO EDUCATION. BUT PARENTS WERE SAYING TO ME, ‘WELL, THAT’S GREAT, BUT MY CHILD CAN’T PLAY WITH THEIR FRIENDS.’ AS AN EDUCATIONALIST, I KNEW THAT PLAY WAS REALLY IMPORTANT ” – Dr Mick Donegan, founder
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For the first time in our industry’s history, all three major home video game consoles on sale – that’s the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series Consoles, and Nintendo Switch – support an officially licensed, mass-produced, accessibility-focused controller. While the history of accessibility-focused controllers stretches back nearly as far as video games themselves (early attempts to create adaptive controllers include those made for systems like the 1970s Magnavox Odyssey to support veterans returning from the Vietnam war) it is impossible to tell the story of accessible gaming hardware for disabled gamers – both today and over the past 17 years – without discussing the exceptional work done by SpecialEffect. Tonight, the UK-based charity is being recognised with the BAFTA Games Special Award.
Founded by Dr Mick Donegan in 2007, SpecialEffect was born from a noticeable gap in support for disabled young people in accessing games, as well as a lack of perceived
empathy for the importance games play in young life. “In my former job, I was working to help young people of education age to be able to access school work.While we (had found all) sorts of ways in which people could use a range of technology to achieve access to education and communication, the parents were saying to me, ‘Well, that's great but my child can't play with their friends’,” Donegan explains. “As an educationalist, I knew that play was really important.”
“In the early 2000s more and more people were playing video games, and it became obvious this was something that those young people were missing out on,” he continues. “There was no specialist organisation in the UK that I could refer them on to.”
When Donegan formed SpecialEffect in 2007, the charity’s focus was on creating bespoke accessibility hardware setups, often through hacking existing hardware to fit new use cases. This often involved visiting disabled players in their
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homes with an occupational therapist, before hacking hardware to allow for new input devices to be wired in. All of this work was done without charge, including necessary return visits if a player’s access needs changed –in the process ensuring that no financial burden was placed on the families to access the tools they needed.
The charity also dedicated time to attending games conventions, so it could showcase technology to the public. This outreach undoubtedly acted as an early catalyst for changing attitudes toward games accessibility here in the UK: booths demonstrating technology such as gaze tracking was applied in a way that made those advancements feel exciting for everyone.
“You see people trying out something like eye-controlled games and you just see it in their faces – they just start to get it,” adds SpecialEffect communications officer, Mark Saville. “When they finish the demonstration there’s
this moment of: ‘Yes, I can see what this means to somebody now’.”
While much of SpecialEffect’s work hasn’t changed since its founding, one area they have expanded into is direct outreach work with developers and publishers. Both the Xbox Adaptive Controller and PlayStation Access Controller were developed in consultation with SpecialEffect, and the mass production of those modular controller bases has done a huge amount to lower the barrier of entry of the cost of accessible gaming hardware and setups. While some players still require bespoke hardware, for many others these controllers have brought accessible hardware to a price point that can be accessed without that financial support. While video game accessibility is currently experiencing a huge surge of positive momentum across the industry, with dedicated job roles at game studios being created in recent years to push accessibility further forward,
it’s important to remember how things were when SpecialEffect formed. While dedicated organisations were out there trying to advocate for accessibility support, video game accessibility was still well over a decade from becoming a topic of mainstream conversation.
In the current moment, games focusing on software-based accessibility are receiving award nominations for that work, and major games websites are including coverage of such features in game reviews. However, in the background, SpecialEffect continues doing pivotal work to make sure that financial, educational and physical barriers don’t prevent disabled players from having the best chance possible of playing the kinds of video games we all love.
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HOLLY REDDAWAY KITT BYRNE MICHAEL ANDERSON
In-conversation
THE BREAK THROUGHS
The producer, game designer and voice and performance director on the state of the industry, the Breakthrough experience, and the rollercoaster of their careers so far
text : aoife wilson photography : vivek vadoliya
In a difficult moment for the games industry, BAFTA Breakthrough UK, supported by Netflix, continues to open doors. Meet three of the games talent from the 2023 cohort: Michael Anderson – (producer, Desta: The Memories Between), Kitt Byrne (2D artist/game designer, Gibbon: Beyond the Trees), and Holly Reddaway (voice and performance director, Baldur’s Gate 3) – as they discuss where their paths have taken them.
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michael anderson :
I think my degree was literally just called Computer Games: it was the first year they’d done it. I soon realised I hadn’t learned enough in one area to become a junior anything. I’d always heard that you can become a games tester, then once you’re in, you can branch out. I ended up finding a job at Sega, continued up the games testing ladder, became a QA lead, then a friend told me about this place called ustwo. That’s where I am still after 11 years.
kitt byrne : Like Mike, I desperately wanted to work in games growing up, and I always really liked art as well. So, I studied Graphic Arts because at the time, there were only two games courses in the country, and they were both too close to home! (laughs) But it was tricky to get into the industry. I’ve been through all sorts of jobs; I worked in retail, I worked in TV. And then I got onto a Channel Four production trainee scheme. For one year, they had a placement at a games
company, and I got it. I went away and worked in the children’s publishing industry for a bit, upskilled my art directing and illustration, then worked my way back into games as an artist.
holly reddaway : I got into voice directing initially because I was working in theatre; I did a drama degree, and then I trained at Lamda on their MA Directing course, which is largely theatre-based training. I made lots of friends that were acting in games at that time, and that’s how I got the idea to voice direct. It’s really a validating, liberating experience to be recognised by BAFTA. Particularly as a freelancer, I’m always thinking about the next job and what I need to be doing to build a sustainable career, and that sometimes feels all-encompassing.
kb : It’s such a huge and amazing industry, but that can be scary sometimes when you’re fighting to get into it. To be uplifted by BAFTA and be told, ‘this is good enough,
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“ THE STORYTELLING IN GAMES IS COMPLETELY UNPARALLELED, IT’S SO AMBITIOUS, AND IT’S SO DIVERSE ”
– Holly Reddaway
you’ve earned a place here’, has really changed my outlook on my future completely.
ma : You’ve used up all the best words! Can I add the word ‘affirming’? Personally, I always flip-flop between being like, ‘I’m awesome. I suck. I’m awesome. I suck.’ I never know which day I’m gonna have. Knowing that people I respect think my work is good is super important to me. We’ve also connected with the global cohort as well, to see if (we can) have a meet up. Just knowledge-share. More friends is always good.
kb : Agreed! As an indie developer, it’s so important to meet people. Holly, for
example – I’ve never met a voice director, especially working on a huge game. The industry can be quite partitioned off in many ways, and it’s too easy to just get stuck in your own discipline.
hr : There’s a real generosity in the games industry, and a real, deep sense of camaraderie. I’ve really found that, having been part of previous BAFTA programmes like Crew and Connect. What feels special about Breakthrough, because it’s such a small group of us all hitting the same moment at the same time, is that it feels like the most distilled version of the way in which BAFTA fosters community.
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“ IT’S BEEN COMFORTING TO SEE PEOPLE LOOKING OUT FOR EACH OTHER ”
– Kitt Byrne
ma : For me, it’s been great speaking with people like Funmi (Olutoye) who works in TV, because that’s a completely foreign world to me. And of course, from film, my close personal friend Bella Ramsey was there on the photo shoot. That was cool. (laughs)
kb : I thought the career coaching session was incredible. What it really did for me was help expand my mind to what the possibilities could be, beyond what was probably a very timid view of, ‘oh, maybe one day I’ll direct my own company.’ The career coaching was very much like: ‘Maybe one day you’ll run the whole industry!’ At the
same time, this is an industry that’s gone through quite a few ups and downs. It’s been comforting to see people looking out for each other. Whenever you hear that a company has laid off workers, everybody’s rallying around, and making space for support.
hr : Games are such an incredible tool for empathy. Lots of my family and friends were like, “Oh, why have you moved into games?”
It’s because the storytelling in games is completely unparalleled, it’s so ambitious, and it’s so diverse. As you say, it’s been so brilliant to see everyone turning up and supporting each other.
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ma : People are going to know the state of the industry right now. It’s completely fine if you have a year or two doing something that seems random. No one’s going to look down on you for that. I think you can still be noodling away at stuff, keeping that blade sharp, and waiting for the right opportunity to pop up. I managed to get on a panel at BAFTA when we were working on Monument Valley 2, talking about how we got into the industry. After the panel, a young Black man came up to me, he was really interested in getting into games. I was just telling him what I did, where I worked, telling him to keep going. Then a few years pass, and BAFTA and ustwo Games are doing another event. And (this man) was like, “Hi, I spoke to one of your colleagues Mike before, and now I’m a games person –I just wanted to thank him for helping me stay on the path.” That feels better than winning awards on stage: being able to use my experience to help someone else.
hr : It’s been amazing to see how people can have an idea and they can make it, and those games can be shared all the way through into the AAA space, with developers being braver with pushing the boundaries of what storytelling can do. I’m excited to see the stories that we tell next.
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IS PROUD TO SUPPORT PLAY SOON ON NETFLIX GAMES BAFTA BREAKTHROUGH AND CREATIVE TALENT IN GAMES
THE YOUNG GAME DESIGNERS
The classes of 2010-2023 fuelling the industry today
After 14 years of BAFTA Young Game Designers – our initiative that inspires and supports young people to create, develop and present a new game idea to the world – the previous winners are beginning to strike out on their own and spread throughout the industry. Allowing 10 to 18 year olds to channel their love of games into creative expression, the journeys of our YGD alumni are testament to the power that early-career mentoring, masterclasses and networking can have on shaping young futures. We went back into the archives to see where it all began...
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Aysheq Hussain: Imagibots, 2016
Hussain won Game Concept (10-14) in 2016 with a game that saw robots fly over Egyptian pyramids; later, he was a threetime finalist in Game Making in 2018, 2021 and 2022 across the different age categories. In 2023, Aysheq became a judge for the competition and also began an internship at Tencent Games in Liverpool. As he says, “I’d like to thank BAFTA for the support in putting me forward as a recommendation for the internship. I’m going to make the most of the opportunity.”
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Joe Straker: Guiding Light, 2020
“The support BAFTA has given and continues to give me has been absolutely incredible in terms of my personal and career development,” says Straker, who was a game concept finalist in 2020 and 2021 and has stayed part of the BAFTA YGD community through events and judging for the competition. In 2023, Joe began with Criterion Games as Producer Intern. “I sat on the final round jury for this year’s BAFTA YGD competition and attended the finalists showcase this year – it was such a great experience!”
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Sophia Shepherd: Tea and Tartlets, 2018
“YGD has changed my life in so many ways,” says former two-time finalist Sophia Shepherd, who is currently on placement at Rare Ltd as a technical art intern, contributing to the development of their new IP, Everwild, all the while pursuing her studies in Computer Science at the University of Bath. “There are just so many awesome games and creative people. It’s amazing.”
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Brendan Cheung, 2015 and 2016
“Participating in BAFTA YGD has been an amazing experience,” says Brendan Cheung, finalist in Game Making in both 2015 and 2016 and now working for ed tech company The Night Zookeeper, where he has implemented his own storytelling mechanic (above). Cheung has also toured the UK with BAFTA to run games workshops as part of our primary school roadshow with Place2Be, of which he says, “the exposure to new experiences and opportunities has allowed me to develop my skills and meet other talented individuals.”
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20 YEARS OF GAMEPLAY
BAFTA Games through the decades
The world of games today is almost unrecognisable from the one BAFTA entered in 2004: we trace the highlights of the eras in between.
Above and following spread:
©BAFTA/Greg Williams, 2023
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Laya DeLeon Hayes
2004
Hosted by Bill Bailey, the inaugural BAFTA Games Awards were more platform-specific than they are today – think, ‘Best Xbox Game’, ‘Best PlayStation game’ – with one major winner, among nominees including Call of Duty (2004) and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, being Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (all classics in their respective franchises).
2006
This is the year BAFTA aligns games alongside film and television as its third official sector: showcasing how important games as an art form is to its goals as an organisation.
2007
Legendary games designer Will Wright (left) becomes the first ever BAFTA Fellow for games: yes, that’s the mind behind SimCity, SimEarth, SimAnt and, of course, The Sims (can you hear the music in your head?). Come 2011, he also helped BAFTA Games launch in the US.
2020
2 April 2020: a date which immediately brings to mind the dawn of working from home, widespread lockdowns and travel bans. But it was also the date of the 16th BAFTA Games Awards – heroically hosted by Dara Ó Briain as a livestream from his home, instead of at the Queen Elizabeth Hall as planned. If anyone can adjust to streaming ceremonies instead of attending them in person, it’s the games community.
2021
This year, Siobhan Reddy receives the Fellowship, BAFTA’s highest accolade bestowed upon an individual. Studio director at Media Molecule, Reddy’s win is one of many that showcases the role of women in the games industry and heralds the
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“ GAMES ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DIFFUSING OUT INTO CULTURE AND SPREADING ACROSS ALL THESE DIFFERENT PLATFORMS. YEAR AFTER YEAR, GAMES ARE PERMEATING OUR CULTURE AND I DON’T THINK THEY WILL BE DYING OFF ANY TIME SOON ”
– Will Wright, 2007
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levelling of the playing field. Since their introduction over 10 years prior, the performer categories in the Games Awards have been gender-neutral, and more women than men have won those categories. This is one of the ways the games industry is sending a clear signal about the exceptional contribution that women make to its culture. “Representation in all forms has come a long way in film, games and television,” said BAFTAwinning performer Kimberly Brooks (below) in 2022. “We are now seeing ourselves reflected in these mediums more than ever, and it’s really exciting to be a part of it.”
2024
Tonight’s nominations bring us full circle back to where it all began: with many sequels of games that won at the first BAFTA Games Awards, such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, being nominated again tonight.
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. 41 Animation pg . 42 Artistic Achievement pg . 43 Audio Achievement pg . 44 Best Game
. 46 British Game
. 47 Debut Game pg . 49 Evolving Game pg . 51 Family pg . 52 Game Beyond Entertainment Game Design pg . 53 Multiplayer pg . 55 Music pg . 56 Narrative pg . 57 New Intellectual pg . 58 Property Performer in a pg . 59 Leading Role Performer in a pg . 60 Supporting Role Technical Achievement pg . 61 EE Players’ Choice pg . 62 39
THE NOMINATIONS pg
pg
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© 2024 MARVEL Proud to support the BAFTA Games Awards PlayStation® wishes the best of luck to all fellow award nominees ©2024 Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe. “PlayStation” and “ ” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
ANIMATION
marvel ’ s spider - man 2 Development Team
Insomniac Games/
Sony Interactive Entertainment
star wars jedi : survivor Development Team
Respawn Entertainment/ Electronic Arts
super mario bros . wonder Development Team
Nintendo EPD/Nintendo
alan wake 2 Development Team
Remedy Entertainment/ Epic Games
hi - fi rush Development Team
Tango Gameworks/ Bethesda Softworks
hogwarts legacy Development Team
Avalanche Software/ Warner Bros. Games
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ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT
alan wake 2
Development Team
Remedy Entertainment/ Epic Games
baldur ’ s gate 3
Development Team
Larian Studio/Larian Studio
cocoon
Development Team
Geometric Interactive/
Annapurna Interactive
diablo iv
Development Team
Blizzard Entertainment/
Blizzard Entertainment
final fantasy xvi
Hiroshi Minagawa, Kazuya
Takahashi, Naoki Kurihara
Creative Business Unit III/ Square Enix
hi - fi rush
Development Team
Tango Gameworks/ Bethesda Softworks
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AUDIO ACHIEVEMENT
the legend of zelda : tears of the kingdom
Development Team
Nintendo EPD/Nintendo
marvel ’ s spider - man 2
Development Team
Insomniac Games/
Sony Interactive Entertainment
star wars jedi : survivor Development Team
Respawn Entertainment/ Electronic Arts
alan wake 2
Development Team
call of duty : modern warfare iii Development Team
Sledgehammer Games/ Activision
Remedy Entertainment/ Epic Games hi - fi rush
Development Team
Tango Gameworks/ Bethesda Softworks
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BEST GAME
alan wake 2
Development Team
Remedy Entertainment/ Epic Games
baldur ’ s gate 3
Development Team
Larian Studio/Larian Studio
the legend of zelda : tears of the kingdom Development Team
Nintendo EPD/Nintendo
dave the diver
Development Team
MINTROCKET/ MINTROCKET
marvel ’ s spider - man 2
Development Team
Insomniac Games/ Sony Interactive Entertainment
super mario bros . wonder Development Team
Nintendo EPD/Nintendo
45
BRITISH GAME
Development Team
Bytten Studio/Raw Fury
dead island 2
Development Team
Dambuster Studios/ PLAION cassette beasts
disney illusion island
Development Team
Dlala Studios/Disney
football manager 2024
Development Team
Sports Interactive/ SEGA Europe
viewfinder
Development Team
Sad Owl Studios/ Thunderful Publishing
warhammer age of sigmar : realms of ruin
Development Team
Frontier Developments/ Frontier Developments
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DEBUT GAME
stray gods : the roleplaying musical Development Team
Summerfall Studios/ Humble Games
venba
Abhi, Sam Elkana, Shahrin Khan Visai Games/Visai Games
viewfinder Development Team
Sad Owl Studios/ Thunderful Publishing
Geometric Interactive/ Annapurna Interactive
dave the diver Development Team
MINTROCKET/ MINTROCKET cocoon Development Team
dredge Development Team
Black Salt Games/ Team17 Digital
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EVOLVING GAME
forza horizon 5 Development Team
Playground Games/ Xbox Game Studios
genshin impact Development Team
HoYoverse/HoYoverse
no man ’ s sky Development Team
Hello Games/Hello Games
cyberpunk 2077 Development Team
CD PROJEKT RED/
CD PROJEKT RED
final fantasy xiv online Development Team
Creative Business Unit III/ Square Enix
fortnite Development Team
Epic Games/Epic Games
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MAKING LONDON THE GAMES CAPITAL OF THE WORLD www.games.london Congratulations to all the nominees and winners at the 2024 BAFTA Games Awards From everyone at
hi - fi rush
Development Team
Tango Gameworks/ Bethesda Softworks
FAMILY
hogwarts legacy Development Team
Avalanche Software/ Warner Bros. Games
super mario bros . wonder Development Team
Nintendo EPD/Nintendo
Geometric Interactive/ Annapurna Interactive
dave the diver Development Team
MINTROCKET/ MINTROCKET cocoon Development Team
disney illusion island Development Team
Dlala Studios/Disney
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GAME BEYOND ENTERTAINMENT
chants of sennaar
Julien Moya, Thomas Panuel
Rundisc/Focus Entertainment
goodbye volcano high
Development Team
KO_OP/KO_OP
tchia
Phil Crifo, Marilou
Lopez-Aguilera, Thoanë Thomadra
Awaceb/Kepler Interactive
terra nil
Development Team
Free Lives/Devolver Digital
thirsty suitors
Development Team
Outerloop Games/ Annapurna Interactive
venba
Abhi, Sam Elkana, Shahrin Khan
Visai Games/Visai Games
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GAME DESIGN
the legend of zelda : tears of the kingdom Development Team
Nintendo EPD/Nintendo
marvel ’ s spider - man 2 Development Team
Insomniac Games/ Sony Interactive Entertainment
viewfinder Development Team
Sad Owl Studios/ Thunderful Publishing
MINTROCKET/ MINTROCKET cocoon Development Team
Geometric Interactive/ Annapurna Interactive dredge
dave the diver Development Team
Joel Mason, Alex Ritchie, Nadia Thorn
Black Salt Games/ Team17 Digital
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MULTIPLAYER
baldur ’ s gate 3 Development Team
Larian Studio/Larian Studio
forza motorsport
Development Team
Turn 10 Studios/
Xbox Game Studios
party animals
Development Team
Recreate Games/ Source Technology
super mario bros . wonder Development Team
Nintendo EPD/Nintendo
call of duty : modern warfare iii Development Team
Sledgehammer Games/ Activision
diablo iv Development Team
Blizzard Entertainment/
Blizzard Entertainment
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alan wake 2
Development Team
Remedy Entertainment/ Epic Games
MUSIC
assassin ’ s creed mirage
Development Team
Ubisoft/Ubisoft
baldur ’ s gate 3
Borislav Slavov
Larian Studio/
Larian Studio
the legend of zelda : tears of the kingdom
Development Team
Nintendo EPD/Nintendo
marvel ’ s spider - man 2
John Paesano, Scott Hanau, Keith Leary
Insomniac Games/
Sony Interactive Entertainment
star wars jedi : survivor
Gordy Haab, Stephen Barton
Respawn Entertainment/ Electronic Arts
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NARRATIVE
final fantasy xvi
Kazutoyo Maehiro,
Michael-Christopher Koji Fox
Creative Business Unit III/ Square Enix
the legend of zelda : tears of the kingdom
Development Team
Nintendo EPD/Nintendo
star wars jedi : survivor Development Team
Respawn Entertainment/ Electronic Arts
alan wake 2
Development Team
Remedy Entertainment/ Epic Games
baldur ’ s gate 3
Development Team
Larian Studio/ Larian Studio
dredge
Joel Mason, Alex Ritchie, Nadia Thorn
Black Salt Games/ Team17 Digital
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NEW INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
chants of sennaar
Julien Moya, Thomas Panuel
Rundisc/Focus Entertainment
dave the diver
Development Team
MINTROCKET/ MINTROCKET
dredge
Development Team
Black Salt Games/ Team17 Digital
hi - fi rush Development Team
Tango Gameworks/ Bethesda Softworks
DON’T NOD/ DON’T NOD
viewfinder Development Team
Sad Owl Studios/ Thunderful Publishing jusant Development Team
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PERFORMER IN A LEADING ROLE
amelia tyler Narrator
Baldur’s Gate 3
cameron monaghan
Cal Kestis
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
neil newbon Astarion
Baldur’s Gate 3
samantha b É art
Karlach
Baldur’s Gate 3
yuri lowenthal
Peter Parker
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
nadji jeter
Miles Morales
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
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PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
andrew wincott
Raphael
Baldur’s Gate 3
debra wilson
Cere Junda
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
ralph ineson
Cidolfus “Cid” Telamon
Final Fantasy XVI
sam lake
Alex Casey
Alan Wake 2
tony todd
Venom
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
tracy wiles
Jaheira
Baldur’s Gate 3
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TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
the legend of zelda : tears of the kingdom
Development Team
Nintendo EPD/Nintendo
alan wake 2
Development Team
Remedy Entertainment/ Epic Games
final fantasy xvi
Ryota Suzuki, Yasuhiro
Yanamoto, Kei Honda
Creative Business Unit III/ Square Enix
horizon call of the mountain Development Team
Guerrilla and Firesprite/ Sony Interactive Entertainment
marvel ’ s spider - man 2 Development Team
Insomniac Games/ Sony Interactive Entertainment
starfield Development Team
Bethesda Game Studios/ Bethesda Softworks
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meet the sponsor
Tales of fellowship and betrayal, do-or-die fights for survival and a perilous quest to find a missing princess. The stakes for just some of the nominees for this year’s EE Players’ Choice Award are as high as our ambition with EE to be the UK’s number one destination for gaming.
I’m proud to say the EE Players’ Choice Award is the only category voted for by the public. A huge part of the purpose of our partnership with BAFTA Games is to give the gaming community an opportunity to have their voice heard, so we’ve asked gamers to choose the title that has had the greatest impact on them over the past year, regardless of console or platform.
So, congratulations to the nominees: Baldur’s Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Fortnite, Lethal Company, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Being chosen for the shortlist by our expert jury is impressive, but I can’t wait to see which one takes on the final level boss that is the gaming public, and wins.
marc allera ceo , ee
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EE PLAYERS’ CHOICE AWARD
the legend of zelda : tears of the kingdom
Nintendo EPD/Nintendo
lethal company Zeekerss/Zeekerss
marvel ’ s spider - man 2
Insomniac Games/ Sony Interactive Entertainment
All nominations correct at time of press.
baldur ’ s gate 3
Larian Studio/Larian Studio
cyberpunk 2077
CD PROJEKT RED/
CD PROJEKT RED
fortnite
Epic Games/Epic Games
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Cassie Hughes (@GeekyCassie)
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
We are an industry of storytellers. Stories change lives –they influence how we think, how we behave and they inspire us. It is crucial that the stories that are being told, and the storytellers, truly reflect the society we live in.
To ensure this the screen industries must be open to talented people from all backgrounds.
We work year-round to identify and tackle barriers to opportunity, ensuring that the next generation of filmmakers, game designers, and screen arts creatives are supported to fulfil their creative potential.
BAFTA is an independent arts charity and we need to raise all our own income. To support our work we rely on income from individual donations, trusts, foundations, corporate partnerships and membership subscriptions.
To find out more, and to explore ways you could support, contact: fundraising@BAFTA.org
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THE JURIES
juries animation
Jim Jagger (Chair)
Bruno Velazquez
Gavin Strange
Harvey Newman
Hollie Newsham
Mike Jungbluth
Nathan Zufelt
Richard Oud
Shawn Kelly
Vanessa Spiers artistic achievement
Del Walker (Chair)
Alisa Rastorgueva
Antoine Dekerle
Eugenia Peruzzo
Jeryce Dianingana
Liam Wong
Lisette Titre-Montgomery
Sam Hogg
Tamoor Hussain
Yaser Hussain
audio achievement
Adele Cutting (Chair)
Georgia Mae Ayling
Jey Kazi
Kevin Regamey
Kristen Quinn
Lisa Devon
Lydia Andrew
Malin Arvidsson
Robert Krekel
debut game
Jonathon Wilson (Chair)
Adrian Townsend
Alexander Sliwinski
Alexis Trust
Claire Bromley
Corey Brotherson
Freddie Babord
Karla Reyes
Loukia Kyriakidou
Sophie Watson
evolving game
Sam D’Elia (Chair)
Anthony King
Erin Louise Harrison
Frankie Ward
Jamie Smith
Krys Loh
Liana Ruppert
Luca Galante
Sarah McCue
Will Lowther
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family
Katherine Bidwell (Chair)
Dan Da Rocha
Jennifer Allen
John Lau
Lisy Kane
Liz Mercuri
Marie Foulston
Matthew Horsfall
Nikki Stearman
Reece Millidge game beyond entertainment
Giles Armstrong (Chair)
Anna Hollinrake
Ben Maltz-Jones
Brittney Morris
Franco Freda
James Batchelor
Leon Killin
Michael Anderson
Nareice Jade Wint
Peter Stewart
Sagar Beroshi
Samantha Béart
Yasmine Latkowski game design
James Brooksby (Chair)
Andy Santos
Annie Grudeva
David Millard
Gareth Sissons
Jess Hider
Joanna Haslam
Richard Jolly
Tara Mustapha
Tim Stobo
multiplayer
Nick Button-Brown (Chair)
Alysia Judge
Ben Board
Catherine Chew
Emily Bailey
Jennifer Schneidereit
Michael Othen-Reeves
Susan Cummings
Victoria Caña music
Li Ma (Chair)
Danai Kokogia
Helen Lynch
Janice Kwan
Julie Elven
Paul Wolinski
Richard Jacques
Xiao-Xiao Zhu narrative
Des Gayle (Chair)
Alejandro Arque Gallardo
Alice Winter
Claire Downs
Kate Watson
Kristi Anderson
Matthew Reynolds
Nic Yulo
Olivia Wood
Sam Barlow
Sarah Northway
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new intellectual property
Anisa Sanusi (Chair)
Arne Meyer
Caspian Whistler
Charles Cecil
Charu Desodt
Jazeena McCallum
Jun Shen Chia
Matt Gardner
Melissa Phillips
Thomas Hegarty performer in a leading role
Anisa Sanusi (Chair)
Abubakar Salim
Adam Ritchie
Caroline Marchal
Dominique Moore
Jodie Azhar
Manon Gage
Mike Fisher performer in a supporting role
Rosemary Buahin (Chair)
Anna Rust
Benjamin Aboagye
Jessica Jefferies
Marta da Silva
Matthew Beckett
Meg Clarke
Midas Whittaker
Natalie Chisholm
Ross Griffith
Shay Thompson
Walles Hamonde
technical achievement
Lucy Boxall (Chair)
Cissy Biri
Emma Bruce
Jake Tucker
Jing Tan
Joshua Baldwin
Kish Hirani
Rocco Scandizzo
Sitara Shefta
ee players ’ choice award
Des Gayle (Chair)
Aaron Potter
Ali Plumb
Blueyed Beth
Elle Osili-Wood
Elz the Witch
Keza Macdonald
Leahviathan
Marcus Bronzy
Sam Loveridge
Vicky Jessop
Yinsu Collins
For details of the voting process, including any key changes made for 2024, please visit: awards.bafta.org/entry
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Congratulations to all nominees and winners From BAFTA’s official scrutineers. Recognising talent, achievement and impact, together. deloitte.co.uk/TMT
© 2024 Deloitte LLP. All rights reserved.
OFFICERS OF THE ACADEMY
officers
hrh the prince of wales , kg kt President of BAFTA
barbara broccoli cbe Vice-President, Film
david gardner obe Vice-President, Games
dame pippa harris dbe Vice-President, Television board of trustees
sara putt Chair of BAFTA
julie la ’ bassiere
siobhan reddy Deputy Chairs of BAFTA
anna higgs Chair, Film Committee
ade rawcliffe Chair, Learning, Inclusion and Talent Committee
hilary Chair, Television Committee
tara Chair, Games Committee
bal Co-optee and Chair, Commercial Committee and Chair, Governance and Appointments Committee
paul taiano obe Co-optee and Chair, Finance, Audit and Risk Committee co - optees
Kathryn Busby
Patrick Keegan
Elliot Knight
Andrew Miller mbe honorary advisors
Medwyn Jones
Marc Samuelson
70
executive
jane millichip
Chief Executive Officer committees
elected members of the film committee
Anna Higgs Chair
Emily Stillman Deputy Chair
Anthony Andrews
Geraldine Atlee
Nainita Desai
Alexa Jago
Julie La’Bassiere
David Proud
Jason Solomons
Clare Stewart
elected members of the games committee
Tara Saunders Chair
Des Gayle Deputy Chair
Katherine Bidwell
Nick Button-Brown*
James Brooksby
Anisa Sanusi
Del Walker
elected members of the television committee
Hilary Rosen Chair
Christine Healy Deputy Chair
Adeel Amini
Furquan Akhtar
Emma Butt
Rajiv Nathwani
Ade Rawcliffe
Beryl Richards*
Sue Vertue
Claire Zolkwer
* Children’s Representatives
71
GAMES AWARDS
PARTNERS
With enduring thanks to our Audience Award sponsor and official partners to the BAFTA Games Awards in 2024.
AUDIENCE AWARD SPONSOR
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Official Water Official Scrutineers Official Champagne Official Hotel Official Wine
OFFICIAL GAMES PARTNERS OFFICIAL PARTNERS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
bafta wishes to thank ...
the games committee
Tara Saunders Chair, Des Gayle Deputy Chair, Giles Armstrong, Katherine Bidwell, Lucy Boxall, James Brooksby, Rosemary Buahin, Nick Button-Brown, Adele Cutting, Sam D’Elia, Li Ma, Anisa Sanusi, Del Walker, Jonathon Wilson
sara putt Chair of BAFTA
julie la ’ bassiere , siobhan reddy Deputy Chairs of BAFTA
Games voting juries and members
The games companies and publishers for their invaluable assistance
phil wang Our host
lucy james , jane douglas Red carpet hosts
james farmer , glenn moore , katie storey , phil wang
Script
OB Services – EMG Multitude Media – PR
The Story Mob – PR
Bobbi Brown – Beauty Provider
Edward James – Hair Styling Provider
Champagne Taittinger reception and Post-Awards dinner soundtracked by Black Screen Records – your specialist record label, vinyl producer & distributor for video game soundtracks.
73
AT BAFTA
executive director of awards & content
Emma Baehr
head of awards head of games
Kelly Smith Luke Hebblethwaite
games officer games coordinator
Lewis Peet Tia Wedderburn
awards
Chloe Fraser, Daljit Billen, Deirdre Hopkins, Edward Hubbard, Katie Warren, Meghana Krishnamurthy, Natalie Gurney, Nick Boocock
executive producer executive producer
Cassandra Hybel of games awards
Rebecca Hardy producer
Harry Balmforth productions
Daniel Dalton, Ella Coveney, Georgia Maskery, Jamie Rowland, Jasmine Mounir, Joe Okell, Kristen Helmick, Lauren Prince, Victoria Walker
head of events event producer
Lucy Waller Natalie Stone events
Ewan Pollitt, Penney Chu, Phil Harrison, Phoebe Barden, Reon McLeod, Siobhan Pridgeon, Sophie Griffiths
74
PROUD TO BE OFFICIAL WINE PARTNER SINCE 2009. Live in the Delicious ENJOY RESPONSIBLY
continued ...
executive director of partnerships & fundraising head of partnerships
Louise Robertson Kathryn Thomas partnerships
Amy Elton, Elizabeth Garshasbi, Emma Tarcy, Olivia Young, Ute Müller
executive director of pr & communications
Donna Mathews
pr & communications
Augustin Wecxsteen, Benn Bennett, Caoimhe Foran, Catie Poust, Chidera Ajuzie, David Dougherty, Jennie Haines, Lisa Wehrstedt, Lorna Gibson, Luka Kenyon, Natalie Paszkowski, Nayumi
Suyama, Nick Williams, Paul MacMahon
membership
Conor O’Hart, Courteney Mclune-Calvin, Erin Howard, Jackie du Bled, Timothy Hughes finance
Aleksandra Zdziebko, Dillon Silva, Louis Lyle, Michelle Diep, Paige Jackson
76
In 1865, The Langham, London first opened its doors. Recognised as Europe’s first ‘Grand Hotel’, it sought to revolutionise the luxury hotel experience.
159 years later, many things have changed, but the hotel remains one of the world’s most iconic hotels — famed for its legendary hospitality. Along with an innovative spirit and playful heritage, The Langham, London continues to captivate and delight its guests with personalised, attentive service.
1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London W1B 1JA
T (44) 020 7636 1000
F (44) 020 7323 2340
langhamhotels.com/london
CREDITS
editor design & cover art
Claire Marie Healy
Abigail Bills
photography director ad sales
Claire Rees
Emma Tarcy, Ute Müller
junior producer , photography
Jordan Anderson
photography assistant
Ellie Elliot printer
FE Burman Ltd
London
feburman.co.uk
BAFTA chooses Arena Smooth by Fedrigoni Paper, supporting excellence in print. Printed on Arena Smooth Extra White 350gsm (cover) and Arena Smooth Extra White 140gsm (text). Supplied by FE Burman Ltd.
The carbon impact of this paper has been measured and balanced through the World Land Trust, an ecological charity.
Certificate no.: CBP024035.
The papers used for this year’s tickets and programme are Forest Stewardship Council® certified, and are 100% recyclable. Published by
Best Game nominee imagery used with kind permission from the distributors. Executive portraits: BAFTA/Scott Garfitt (HRH The Prince of Wales); BAFTA/ Sophia Spring (Jane Millichip), BAFTA/ Ellie Smith (Sara Putt); pg.10 ©SpecialEffect
Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, the Publishers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of BAFTA.
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