WELCOME
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warm welcome to the British Academy Games Awards. The past year in games has been one of the most memorable yet, from record-breaking releases to the launch of the next gen consoles. We’ve witnessed the growing confidence of an industry whose global success has dominated the headlines and, with advances in mobile technology, so much of our spare time, too. With its Games Awards, BAFTA recognises the individuals and teams behind the most groundbreaking, technologically-advanced and genuinely inspirational work ever to make it to screen. Congratulations to all of the nominees and to Rockstar Games, the deserving recipient of this year’s Fellowship. Today is an important day for us, for reasons not entirely related to the Awards. Inside Games, our new public event, took place here at the Tobacco Dock earlier in the day, and it’s a first for BAFTA – bringing new games from the world’s biggest studios to the hands of gamers, alongside a series of developer talks and an independent games showcase. With tickets also available to buy for the ceremony, we’ve never brought the public so close to the industry and this, we hope, will spark a greater understanding and appreciation of your work. BAFTA isn’t just about awards. Today we re-launch our Young Game Designers competition, with online resources and workshops around the country enabling 11 to 16-year-olds to learn from the professionals while producing their own work. Also, Give Something Back is our industry campaign supporting young people, regardless of background, which asks for a small amount of your time, a work placement at your company or a donation. Your contribution will support BAFTA’s year-round learning programme and, by extension, safeguard the industry’s future; visit bafta.org for more information. Thank you to the BAFTA team, particularly Kelly Smith and Clare Brown, and our wonderful host, Dara O Briain. My thanks, as always, to the BAFTA juries and the Games Committee, whose vision is expertly focused by its Chairman, Harvey Elliott. I wish you all a wonderful evening. JOHN WILLIS CHA IR M A N OF THE ACA DEMY
WELCOM E M ESSAGE
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