British Academy Games Awards in 2020 programme

2020

SOUND DESIGNER

PERFORMER

COMPOSER

PROGRAMMER

ENVIRONMENTAL ARTIST

WRITER CONCEPT ARTIST

G

BENEATH THE SURFACE

ames – like films and television – are made to be enjoyed. Playing games is not only fun, it can have a positive impact on our relationships and our physical and mental health. They can enable us to deal with real-world challenges, form positive life-habits and empathise with other people and the world around us.

But what’s often overlooked, or underestimated, is how much hard work, creativity and skill goes into making a great game, from individuals through to huge development teams. It’s so easy to focus on the enjoyment of playing a game, to skip the credits and forget about the talented people who bring them to life. Writers, artists, designers, engineers, programmers, composers, directors, actors, quality analysts and often many more – they are the innovators whose dedication, persistence and passion drive excellence in gaming. Our cover design this year celebrates those crafts, the unseen hands that work their magic to make the bold, memorable and affecting games we love so much.

This is what BAFTA’s Games Awards and other games activities are all about. We believe in the power of games and we want to encourage people to be as passionate about their creation as we all are about playing them. •

#THEINSTANTWHEN #TAITTINGERTIME

FA M I LY S P I R I T Official Champagne to BAFTA

Photo: Massimo Vitali

Enjoy a five-star stay at The May Fair Hotel, Official Hotel Partner of the British Academy Games Awards 2020 Stratton Street London W1J 8LT themayfairhotel.co.uk

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WELCOME

By Dame Pippa Harris DBE & Amanda Berry OBE

THE NOMINATIONS

09

ANIMATION

10

ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENTt

11

AUDIO ACHIEVEMENT

12

BEST GAME

15

BRITISH GAME

16

DEBUT GAME

17

EVOLVING GAME

19

FAMILY

20

GAME BEYOND ENTERTAINMENT

21

GAME DESIGN

23 MULTIPLAYER 24 MUSIC 25 NARRATIVE 27

ORIGINAL PROPERTY

28

PERFORMER IN A LEADING ROLE

29

PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

30

TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT

31

EE MOBILE GAME OF THE YEAR

32

THE JURIES

SPECIAL FEATURES

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THE FELLOWSHIP: HIDEO KOJIMA

The creator of the Metal Gear series and Death Stranding is this year’s recipient

of BAFTA’s highest honour.

Words by Chris Schilling 42

BAFTA PHOTOGRAPHY

A gallery of stunning BAFTA portraits from last year’s Awards.

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OFFICERS OF THE ACADEMY

52

PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS

53

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

54

END CREDITS

CONTENTS 5

wineram productions presents

in association with SUMMIT SHOOT NZ in association with TV4 ENTERTAINMENT a film by COLIN WEST with BRIAN MCCLINTIC OZ CLARK CHRISTINA PICKARD

with NICK PICONE, STU DUDLEY, JESS MARSTON and OLLIE POWRIE music composers FINAL SCORE COMPOSER and GO DIY MUSIC edited by JASON CHARLES SMITH cinematography by RUPERT CRITCHLEY executive producer COLIN WEST produced by CYNTHIA CENDREDA and ALEX MCCROSSIN written and directed by COLIN WEST

@VILLAMARIA_UK

VILLAMARIAWINES

T

AMANDA BERRY OBE

Chief Executive of the Academy

DAME PIPPA HARRIS DBE

Chair of the Academy

FOLLOW US

#BA F TAGames @BA F TAGames

WELCOME

his year’s British Academy Games Awards, celebrating the very best in gaming, is a little different from usual. Amid growing concerns over the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), we made the necessary decision to switch the format from a red carpet ceremony to an online livestream, broadcast globally. It’s so very disappointing not to be able to congratulate this year’s nominees and winners in person, because they have demonstrated such exceptional vision, artistry and skill over the past year. But, the wellbeing of our guests and staff remains our top priority. Furthermore, we wish good health to all our colleagues in the industry and the wider games community during this challenging time.

We believe games are a force for good, an art form that enriches our experience of life in so many ways.

Our Awards, and our numerous events and initiatives, can ignite an unrivalled passion both within and outside of the industry. We know great talent already exists in the sector, but it deserves to attract more. New and emerging creatives can rely on BAFTA for support through such initiatives as our Scholarships, Young Game Designers, BAFTA Games Crew and Breakthrough programmes.

From career development to networking events and key advice, BAFTA is there to help.

We are also committed to championing a diverse and inclusive industry. After the success of introducing diversity requirements to our Film Awards, we are now exploring how to introduce similar but more apt standards to the Games Awards. Ultimately, a more inclusive industry will only improve the standard and variety of games we get to play. Watch this space!

Games is one of the world’s most dynamic industries and it’s vital that BAFTA remains just as progressive.

We have introduced three new categories this year, celebrating crafts that we feel bear greater recognition.

Animation focuses on the essentials needed to bring a game to life, including style, fluidity and responsiveness of characters. Performer in a Supporting Role extends our acknowledgement of acting in games. Technical Achievement commends exceptional gameplay programming and visual engineering, covering both software and hardware accomplishments.

This past year, we saw an influx of games practitioners sign up for BAFTA membership. Our members sit at the heart of everything we do, from our globally recognised Awards to our Learning & New Talent programme.

Membership offers a way to have your voice heard within the industry and to give something back to the next generation of talent coming through. If you haven’t already, please consider joining BAFTA’s community of 8,000 creatives and professionals working within the film, games and television industries across the world.

Until our normal Games Awards service can be resumed next year, we send you all our very best wishes and hope you, your loved ones, colleagues and neighbours all stay safe and well. •

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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE 2020 BAFTA GAMES AWARDS NOMINEES FROM EVERYONE AT UBISOFT © 2020 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Ubisoft, Ubi.com and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Development Team Infinity Ward/Activision Control

Development Team Remedy Entertainment/505 Games Death Stranding

Development Team Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Luigi's Mansion 3

Development Team Next Level Games/Nintendo Sayonara Wild Hearts

Development Team Simogo/Annapurna Interactive Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Development Team FromSoftware/Activision

NOMINATIONS – ANIMATION 9

Concrete Genie

Development Team Pixelopus/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Control

Development Team Remedy Entertainment/505 Games Death Stranding

Development Team Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Disco Elysium

Development Team ZA/UM/ZA/UM Knights and Bikes

Rex Crowle, Moo Yu, Kenneth C M Young Foam Sword/Double Fine Presents Sayonara Wild Hearts

NOMINATIONS – ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT

Development Team Simogo/Annapurna Interactive

10

Ape Out

Matt Boch Gabe Cuzzillo, Matt Boch, Bennett Foddy/Devolver Digital Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Development Team Infinity Ward/Activision Control

Development Team Remedy Entertainment/505 Games Death Stranding

Ludvig Forssell, Mike Niederquell, Jodie Kupsco Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Development Team Respawn Entertainment/ Electronic Arts Untitled Goose Game

Development Team House House/Panic

NOMINATIONS – AUDIO ACHIEVEMENT 11

Control

Development Team Remedy Entertainment/505 Games Disco Elysium

Development Team ZA/UM/ZA/UM Luigi's Mansion 3

NOMINATIONS – BEST GAME

Development Team Next Level Games/Nintendo

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Outer Wilds

Development Team Mobius Digital/Annapurna Interactive Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Development Team FromSoftware/Activision Untitled Goose Game

Development Team House House/Panic

NOMINATIONS – BEST GAME 13 1 3

DiRT Rally 2.0

Development Team Codemasters/Codemasters Heaven's Vault

Joseph Humfrey, Jon Ingold, Laura Dilloway inkle/inkle Knights and Bikes

Rex Crowle, Moo Yu, Kenneth C M Young Foam Sword/Double Fine Presents Observation

Development Team No Code/Devolver Digital Planet Zoo

Development Team Frontier Developments/ Frontier Developments Total War: Three Kingdoms

Development Team Creative Assembly/SEGA

NOMINATIONS – BRITISH GAME 15

Ape Out

Gabe Cuzzillo, Matt Boch, Bennett Foddy Gabe Cuzzillo, Matt Boch, Bennett Foddy/Devolver Digital Death Stranding

Development Team Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Disco Elysium

Development Team ZA/UM/ZA/UM Katana Zero

Justin Stander Askiisoft/Devolver Digital Knights and Bikes

Rex Crowle, Moo Yu, Kenneth C M Young Foam Sword/Double Fine Presents Manifold Garden

NOMINATIONS – DEBUT GAME

Development Team William Chyr Studio/ William Chyr Studio

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Apex Legends

Chad Grenier, Drew McCoy Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts Destiny 2

Development Team Bungie/Bungie Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers

Development Team Square Enix/Square Enix Fortnite

Development Team Epic Games/Epic Games No Man's Sky: Beyond

Development Team Hello Games/Hello Games Path of Exile

Development Team Grinding Gear Games/ Grinding Gear Games

NOMINATIONS – EVOLVING GAME 17

Concrete Genie

Development Team Pixelopus/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Knights and Bikes

Rex Crowle, Moo Yu, Kenneth C M Young Foam Sword/Double Fine Presents Luigi's Mansion 3

Development Team Next Level Games/Nintendo Untitled Goose Game

Development Team House House/Panic Vacation Simulator

Development Team Owlchemy Labs/Owlchemy Labs Wattam

Development Team Funomena/Annapurna Interactive

NOMINATIONS – FAMILY 19

Civilization VI: Gathering Storm

Development Team Firaxis/2K Death Stranding

Development Team Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to)

Ziba Scott, Luigi Guatieri, Clark Aboud Popcannibal/Popcannibal Life is Strange 2 (Episodes 2-5)

Development Team Dontnod Entertainment/Square Enix Neo Cab

Development Team Chance Agency/Fellow Traveller Games Ring Fit Adventure

NOMINATIONS – GAME BEYOND ENTERTAINMENT

Development Team Nintendo/Nintendo

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Baba is You

Arvi Teikari Hempuli Oy/Hempuli Oy Control

Development Team Remedy Entertainment/505 Games Disco Elysium

Development Team ZA/UM/ZA/UM Outer Wilds

Development Team Mobius Digital/Annapurna Interactive Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Development Team FromSoftware/Activision Wattam

Development Team Funomena/Annapurna Interactive

NOMINATIONS – GAME DESIGN 21

WISHES THE BEST OF LUCK TO ALL FELLOW

BAFTA GAMES AWARDS NOMINEES

© 2020 Activision Publishing, Inc.

Apex Legends

Chad Grenier, Brent McLeod, Carlos Pineda Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts Borderlands 3

Development Team Gearbox Software/2K Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Development Team Infinity Ward/Activision Luigi's Mansion 3

Development Team Next Level Games/Nintendo Tick Tock: A Tale for Two

Development Team Other Tales Interactive/ Other Tales Interactive Tom Clancy's The Division 2

Development Team Massive Entertainment/Ubisoft

NOMINATIONS – MULTIPLAYER 23

Control

Petri Alanko, Martin Stig Andersen Remedy Entertainment/505 Games Death Stranding

Ludvig Forssell, Peter Scaturro, Keith Leary Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Disco Elysium

Development Team ZA/UM/ZA/UM Outer Wilds

Development Team Mobius Digital/Annapurna Interactive The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Development Team Grezzo/Nintendo Wattam

NOMINATIONS – MUSIC

Asuka Takahashi, Brad Fotsch, Sam Bird Funomena/Annapurna Interactive

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Control

Writing Team Remedy Entertainment/505 Games Disco Elysium

Writing Team ZA/UM/ZA/UM Life is Strange 2 (Episodes 2-5)

Writing Team Dontnod Entertainment/Square Enix Outer Wilds

Writing Team Mobius Digital/Annapurna Interactive The Outer Worlds

Tim Cain, Leonard Boyarsky Obsidian Entertainment/Private Division Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Aaron Contreras, Matt Michnovetz, Stig Asmussen Respawn Entertainment/ Electronic Arts

NOMINATIONS – NARRATIVE 25

Proud partners of the BAFTA Games Awards PlayStation® wishes the best of luck to all fellow award nominees

“ ” and “PlayStation” are registered trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. ©2020 Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe. All titles, content, publisher names, trademarks, artwork and associated imagery are trademarks and/or copyright material of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Baba is You

Arvi Teikari Hempuli Oy/Hempuli Oy Control

Development Team Remedy Entertainment/505 Games Death Stranding

Development Team Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Disco Elysium

Development Team ZA/UM/ZA/UM Outer Wilds

Development Team Mobius Digital/Annapurna Interactive Untitled Goose Game

Development Team House House/Panic

NOMINATIONS – ORIGINAL PROPERTY 27

Laura Bailey

Kait Diaz Gears 5 Courtney Hope

Jesse Faden Control Logan Marshall-Green

David Telling Lies Gonzalo Martin

Sean Diaz Life is Strange 2 (Episodes 2-5) Barry Sloane

Captain Price Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Norman Reedus

NOMINATIONS – PERFORMER IN A LEADING ROLE

Sam Death Stranding

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Jolene Andersen

Karen Reynolds Life is Strange 2 (Episodes 2-5) Troy Baker

Higgs Death Stranding Sarah Bartholomew

Cassidy (Lucy Rose Jones) Life is Strange 2 (Episodes 2-5) Ayisha Issa

Fliss The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan Léa Seydoux

Fragile Death Stranding Martti Suosalo

Ahti the Janitor Control

NOMINATIONS – PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE 29

A Plague Tale: Innocence

Development Team Asobo Studio/Focus Home Interactive Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Development Team Infinity Ward/Activision Control

Development Team Remedy Entertainment/505 Games Death Stranding

Development Team Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Metro Exodus

Development Team 4A Games/Deep Silver Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

NOMINATIONS – TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT

Development Team FromSoftware/Activision

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All nominations correct at time of press.

Assemble with Care

ustwo games/ustwo games Call of Duty: Mobile

Timi Studios/Activision Dead Man's Phone

Electric Noir Studios/ Electric Noir Studios Pokémon Go

Niantic/Niantic Tangle Tower

SFB Games/SFB Games What the Golf?

Triband/Triband

PETE JEAVONS, EE

Director of Marketing Communications

(VOTED FOR BY THE PUBLIC)

EE continues its long-standing partnership with BAFTA with the second year of the EE Mobile Game of the Year award.

With the growing role of mobile in the gaming industry and the arrival of 5G, EE wants to recognise the games that are leading innovation in online functionality and delivering the best in player experience on a smartphone and over a network.

As the UK’s number one mobile network, EE is the best place to enjoy gaming on the go. What’s more, EE is the network with 5G in the most places, meaning unbelievably fast speeds and a more reliable connection, even in the busiest crowds. Right now, the potential for mobile gaming is greater than ever.

As the only award chosen by the public, we’re handing the decision of who wins the EE Mobile Game of the Year award over to the people who have played them the most.

Good luck to the nominees!

NOMINATIONS – EE MOBILE GAME OF THE YEAR

MEET THE SPONSOR

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JURIES

ANIMATION / TARA SAUNDERS (CHAIR) / JODIE AZHAR / REX CROWLE / AARON FROST / ANNEM HOBSON / HARVEY NEWMAN / SARAH NORTH / JIM JAGGER / ABBIE WILLETT / KRISTJAN ZADZIUK | ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT / NOIRIN CARMODY (CHAIR) / KATHERINE BIDWELL / CHRIS COX / LIAM DE VALMENCY / RACHELE DOIMO / BEN FURNEAUX / ASHLEY MCKENZIE / CATHERINE UNGER / STEVIE WARD / CASPIAN WHISTLER | AUDIO ACHIEVEMENT / JO TWIST (CHAIR) / RICH AITKEN / ADELE CUTTING / KIRSTY GILLMORE / ANDY GRIER / LUCY HARRISON / JADE LEAMCHARASKUL / LORENZO SALVADORI / CHRISTOPHER WHITE | BEST GAME / DAVE GOULD (CHAIR) / DEBBIE BESTWICK / CHARLIE BROOKER / PHIL DUNCAN / DES GAYLE / KEZA MACDONALD / CRISTINA NAVA / AXEL RYDBY / SHAY THOMPSON / AOIFE WILSON | BRITISH GAME / HARVEY ELLIOTT (CHAIR) / MARK BROWN / CASSIA CURRAN / HOLLY GORDON / JULIA HARDY / RICHARD JOLLY / ADRIENNE LAW / GEORGE OSBORN / FERNANDO RIZO / ABUBAKAR SALIM | DEBUT GAME / CALLUM UNDERWOOD (CHAIR) / MIKE ANDERSON / JAMES COOPER / ALEXIS GARAVARYAN / VLADIMIR HRINCAR / EMILY SHORT / TANYA SHORT / AGOSTINO SIMONETTA / ZACH SOARES / ALEX TRUST / KAMINA VINCENT / FRANKIE WARD / SHUHEI YOSHIDA | EVOLVING GAME / VERONIQUE LALLIER (CHAIR) / THOMAS BIDAUX / JEN BOLTON / TIM EDWARDS / WILL LOWTHER / SARAH TILLEY / SEBASTIEN VIDAL / JULIEN WERA | FAMILY / CHARLES CECIL (CHAIR) / JENS ANDERSSON / RYAN BROWN / LISA EVANS / LAURA HIGGINS / GEMMA LANGFORD / MICHAEL LOJKO / SIMON MCCHEUNG / JULES MORGAN / JOHN NEJADY / LORNA PROBERT | GAME BEYOND ENTERTAINMENT / CATHERINE WOOLLEY (CHAIR) / CATHARINA BØHLER / LUKE BOTHAM / DAN EFERGAN / HOLLIE EMERY / PETE ETCHELLS / ANNA HOLLINRAKE / LIZ MERCURI / GARY NAPPER / ELLE OSILI-WOOD / ANISA

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SANUSI / ANNA SWEET | GAME DESIGN / MATT JEFFERY (CHAIR) / KRISTINE BRAID / ROSA CARBO-MASCARELL / ALEXIS GUARIGUATA / TIM JONES / TEDDY KEEFE / CASSIE MORGAN / MATTHEW NEWCOMBE / BRENDA ROMERO / LIZZIE WILDING | MULTIPLAYER / GEORG BACKER (CHAIR) / MARK COX / SAM HUGHES / HELEN KAUR / PAUL KILDUFF-TAYLOR / ADAM LAY / RICH LEVY / ANDREW SMITH / XANDRA VAN WIJK | MUSIC / KARL STEWART (CHAIR) / GRACE DOCKSEY / KAN GAO / JAMES GREEN / WOODY JACKSON / KIRSTY KEATCH / ANDREW QUINN / LENA RAINE | NARRATIVE / CLAIRE BOISSIERE (CHAIR) / CHARU DESODT | ELIN FESTØY / RUSS HARDING / JON INGOLD / KATE JARRETT | KRISTEN MCGORRY / DEBORAH MENSAH-BONSU / MAURICE SUCKLING / AMELIA TYLER / DAVID VARELA | ORIGINAL PROPERTY / IMRE JELE (CHAIR) / GILES ARMSTRONG / ALEJANDRO ARQUE GALLARDO / SARAH BAYLUS / JAMES DOBROWSKI / ABBIE HEPPE / CARYN KRAKAUER / BEN MALTZ-JONES / RANJANI NATARAJAN / ANDREW ROPER / LANA ZGOMBICĆ| PERFORMER IN A LEADING ROLE / DAVE RANYARD (CHAIR) / SAMANTHA BÉART / LYNDSAY DUTHIE / JESSICA JEFFERIES / MELISSANTHI MAHUT / CAROLINE MARCHAL / DAN PEARSON / JOHN STANLEY / CHARLES WEBB / ROSALIE WILSON / ALIX WILTON REGAN | PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE / MOO YU (CHAIR) / LORRAINE ANSELL / MIKE BITHELL / JAY BRITTON / ANA DUKAKIS / ALYSIA JUDGE / DEE SAIGAL / JEFF SEAMSTER / MIDAS WHITTAKER / ERIN YVETTE | TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT / CHARLES CECIL (CHAIR) / JONATHON ASHCROFT / DUYGU CAKMAK / ALEX DE ROSEE / LAURA KAMPIS / PAUL KITCHIN / JOHN ROMERO / HELANA SANTOS / JANE WHITTAKER | EE MOBILE GAME OF THE YEAR / JO TWIST (CHAIR) / MICHAEL FRENCH / DIANE HUTCHINSON / CHRIS JAMES / WILL LUTON / ELLE OSILI-WOOD / CLAIRE SHARKEY / DANN SULLIVAN / SHAY THOMPSON

JURIES 33 33

WORDS IMAGES

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Chris Schilling Portrait by BAFTA/Charlie Clift Other images by BAFTA/Jordan Anderson Death Stranding Stills and Behind the Scenes courtesy of Kojima Productions

THE FELLO

HIDEO KOJIM

WSHIP

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H

ideo Kojima’s career in the games industry might span more than three decades, yet he still finds the creative process as invigorating as the day he started. From the planning stages, where there’s “no one to tell you no”, to the breakthroughs and challenges that come with collaborative development, he’s a man who clearly enjoys his work. “Exciting times and difficult times ebb and flow like alternating waves, the tension surging back and forth for a long time,” he says. “Even someone as fickle as me has continued this work for more than 34 years, so I can’t help but think that it is mostly fun for me.”

That fickleness can perhaps be attributed to Kojima’s broad range of interests, although games were not a large part of his childhood. An early love of films would begin a lifelong obsession with cinema, while the young Kojima was also a keen reader with a passion for music; these hobbies would all have a significant influence on his work.

He remembers the games boom around the time of Space Invaders (1978), though it mostly passed him by: his school forbade students from visiting arcades, perceiving them as a bad influence. During his university years, however, Namco’s vertical-scrolling shooter Xevious (1983) caught his eye. “It featured a singular worldview lacking in other games of the time,” he recalls. “I was addicted. In that moment, I remember realising that games were capable of the same narrative expression as film or novels.”

From then on, Kojima began to think games could be his future, though in conservative Japan, this was hardly considered an ideal career move. When his father died, his family’s resultant financial difficulties forced Kojima to drop out of art school; having witnessed his struggles, his mother decided to support his move into games. He subsequently joined Konami in 1986, earning his first credit as assistant designer on the MSX game Penguin Adventure, before being asked by a senior employee to take over another project: Metal Gear (1987).

Here, Kojima rebelled against the instructions of his bosses. Asked to create a war game inspired by arcade tie-in Rambo (1985), he dismissed the idea for both philosophical and pragmatic reasons: his parents’ war stories and the limitations of the MSX put him off the idea of a musclebound hero gunning down an entire army. His cinematic knowledge served him well, too.

“Rambo, a clear example of this character archetype, and the series’ first film, First Blood (1982), were actually anti-war,” he notes.

Instead, he conceived an idea based on the film The Great Escape (1963). Acknowledging that players wouldn’t enjoy a game that simply involved running away, he introduced elements inspired by James Bond, prioritising infiltration over direct combat, and a near-future setting.

The game, one of the earliest examples of the stealthaction genre, was a hit. Kojima’s boldness had paid off.

As a writer, director and producer, Kojima earned a reputation as a fearless pioneer during his time at Konami, consistently rejecting accepted design wisdom and pursuing risky ideas with unwavering self-belief.

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Twisted cyberpunk adventure Snatcher (1988) showcased his storytelling chops, while 2003’s Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand came with a light-sensitive cartridge to encourage players to charge up their character’s power by playing outside. The psychological chiller P.T. (2014) is regarded as one of the all-time great horror games, despite being designed only as a short teaser.

Yet, it was 1998’s Metal Gear Solid that transformed Kojima’s fortunes: from a cult innovator, hardly known outside of Japan, he became a globally recognised name almost overnight. Subtitled ‘tactical espionage action’, with its blend of stealth mechanics and elaborate cinematics, it became arguably the most influential title of the PlayStation era. “The internet and social media age were not as they are today, so I had no idea about the enthusiasm surrounding the game overseas,” he says.

“I probably first realised it at E3 in 2000. It wasn’t until I made an in-person visit that I could witness the game’s incredible popularity. It was like being treated like a rock star. Yet, once I got on the plane and went back home to Japan, I returned to a normal life, and I had to turn off that switch in my head. Creator or not, I was still an everyday salaryman.”

The experience changed Kojima’s approach to making games, he says: “Since then, more than for myself, creating for me meant continuing to provide for worldwide fans. I decided to devote my life to that.”

Although he now had a fanbase to cater for, this didn’t stop him from subverting expectations. Three years later, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001) demonstrated his willingness to confound players. Its opening prologue is a masterpiece of misdirection, suggesting a fairly straightforward sequel before replacing original hero Solid Snake with newcomer Raiden. This was a different time, he notes, suggesting that negative social media campaigns weren’t around to prevent it from being a success.

Nevertheless, he insists that it’s vital for sequels to push boundaries. “Eventually, self-learning AIs will become able to create average remakes or sequels by studying marketing data. Us creators, as humans, should be freed from that kind of work.”

Three equally unconventional successors followed, alongside a spate of spin-offs, each offering something different from the last. But during development of 2005’s Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Kojima’s relationship with Konami had reached breaking point.

SELECT WORKS

2019

Death Stranding

2015

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

2014

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

2014

P.T.

2010

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

2008

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

2004

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

2003

Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand

2001

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

1998

Metal Gear Solid

1994

Policenauts

1990

Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

1988

Snatcher

1987

Metal Gear

1986

Penguin Adventure

Left: Speaking at the BAFTA Showcase of Death Stranding in 2019; Above: Presenting Rockstar Games with the BAFTA Fellowship in 2014

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AWARDS & NOMINATIONS

BAFTA Nominations for Hideo Kojima’s Games

Other Honours

2016

2016

2009

2002

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain – four nominations: Artistic Achievement, Audio Achievement, Best Game, Game Innovation (Games Awards) Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – two nominations: Artistic Achievement, Original Score (Games Awards) Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – one nomination: Audio (Interactive Awards)

Below: Photo call at the BAFTA Showcase of Death Stranding; Opposite page left: Sam's Bridge Baby, BB-28, whom he affectionately names Lou; Opposite page right: With actor Norman Reedus (Sam), in P-cap suit, during the making of Death Stranding

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D.I.C.E. Awards, Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) Hall of Fame

2016

The Game Awards, Industry Icon

2009

Game Developers Choice Awards, Lifetime Achievement

"CREATING FOR ME

MEANS CONTINUING TO

PROVIDE FOR WORLDWIDE

FANS. I DECIDED TO DEVOTE

MY LIFE TO THAT."

He finally left the company at which he had spent almost his entire career to set up his own company, Kojima Productions.

The studio’s debut arrived in 2019, and represented another startling change of direction. Starring The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus as a deliveryman in a striking vision of post-apocalyptic America, Death Stranding saw Kojima sideline combat once more, instead pitting the player against hazardous terrain and inviting them to rebuild the fragmented country.

Its near-photorealistic cutscenes saw Kojima direct extensive performance capture sessions with a star-studded cast, including Lindsay Wagner, Léa Seydoux, Mads Mikkelsen and Troy Baker, affording him a glimpse of how his career might have turned out as a film director – and still might. Indeed, Kojima envisages an increasing confluence between the two mediums. “It’s become clearer that the distinction between games and movies is starting to dissolve,” he says. “I’ve heard stories from a variety of people – from active film workers to producers, directors, screenwriters, actors, artists and composers – who all say that their respect for games is very high.”

Notably, Death Stranding has been nominated for 11 BAFTAs this year, including three for performance.

Given his affinity for the silver screen, it’s no surprise that a BAFTA Fellowship means an awful lot to Kojima.

“It is something that many of my predecessors, who have shaped my life and whom I respect from the bottom of my heart, have received, so it’s a particularly special honour for me,” he says. “To receive such an award, in this era where films and games are becoming one and the same, is deeply moving.”

Whether he ultimately joins Death Stranding collaborators Guillermo del Toro and Nicolas Winding Refn and moves into filmmaking, or stays within games to scratch the horror itch he’s had since making P.T., it’s clear Hideo Kojima’s creative journey is far from over. “So long as I’m alive,” he says, “I endeavour to continue to create with everything I have.” • 39

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ALL SMILES

BAFTA PHOTOGRAPHY

A selection of BAFTA portraits from last year’s Awards by photographer Jamie Simonds.

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43 4 3

Above: Jane Douglas Opposite: Lucas Pope Previous page: Danielle Bisutti, Sunny Suljic, Christopher Judge and Jeremy Davies

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45 4 5

46

Left: Alysia Judge Top: Linus Larsson and Jens Andersson Above: Oskar Wolontis and Josef Fares

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ESSAY CREDITS 48

PHOTOGRAPHER

Jamie Simonds jamiesimonds.com BAFTA PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR

Claire Rees BAFTA PHOTOGRAPHY COORDINATOR

Jordan Anderson

GAMES PHOTO ESSAY

Above: Elin Festøy and Catharina Bøhler Opposite: Meg Jayanth

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OFFICERS

Academy President

HRH The Duke of Cambridge, KG

COMMITTEES ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE GAMES COMMITTEE

Vice-President, Film

Chair

Barbara Broccoli DBE

Dr Jo Twist OBE

Vice-President, Games

Claire Boissiere Dave Ranyard * Tara Saunders Catherine Woolley

David Gardner OBE Vice-President, Television

Greg Dyke BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Chair of the Academy

Dame Pippa Harris DBE Deputy Chair of the Academy

Krishnendu Majumdar Chair, Learning & New Talent Committee, and Deputy Chair, Television Committee

Sara Putt Chair, Film Committee

Marc Samuelson Deputy Chair, Film Committee

Anna Higgs

ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE FILM COMMITTEE

Chair

Marc Samuelson Deputy Chair

Anna Higgs Isabel Begg Simon Chinn Noel Clarke Alexandra Derbyshire * Joanne Hartley Gillian Hawser Alison Thompson David Thompson

Chair, Games Committee

ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE

Dr Jo Twist OBE

TELEVISION COMMITTEE

Chair, Television Committee

Hannah Wyatt Co-optee and Chair, Commercial Committee

Chair

Hannah Wyatt Deputy Chair

Sara Putt

Co-optee and Chair, Finance and Audit Committee

Sir Lloyd Dorfman CBE

Phillipa Giles Elizabeth McIntyre Emma Morgan Ade Rawcliffe Beryl Richards * John Strickland Liz Trubridge Claire Zolkwer

Co-optee

* Children’s representatives

Paul Taiano OBE Co-optee

Kathryn Busby Co-optee

Maria Ishak Co-optee

Paul Morrell OBE Honorary Advisor

Medwyn Jones Chief Executive

Amanda Berry OBE Chief Operating Officer

Kevin Price

OFFICERS OF THE ACADEMY

John Smith

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With enduring thanks to all the official partners to the British Academy Games Awards in 2020

OFFICIAL AUDIENCE AWARD SPONSOR

OFFICIAL GAMES PARTNERS

PARTNER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ACADEMY PARTNERS

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OFFICIAL OUTDOOR MEDIA

OFFICIAL HOTEL

HOST

Dara Ó Briain PRODUCER

Chris Kearsey SCRIPT

Steve McNeil EDITOR

Daniel Dalton VIDEO GRAPHICS

DMI Productions POST PRODUCTION SUPPORT

The Farm Group LIVE STREAMING FACILITIES

Jackshoot PR

WDW Entertainment

GAMES COMMITTEE CHAIR

Dr Jo Twist OBE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Claire Boissiere David Gould Todd Green Matthew Jeffrey Veronique Lallier Dave Ranyard Tara Saunders Mike Simpson Karl Stewart Callum Underwood Catherine Woolley Moo Yu

53

AT BAFTA

Director of Production

Director of Awards & Membership

Clare Brown

Emma Baehr

Head of Production

Head of Awards

Cassandra Hybel

Kelly Smith

Awards Event Producer

Games & Children’s Awards Officer

Lucy Waller

Sam D’Elia

Assistant Awards Event Producer

Games & Children’s Awards Coordinator

Ciara Teggart

Lewis Peet

BAFTA Productions

Awards & Membership Team

Olivia Comer, Ella Coveney, Georgina Cunningham, Kylie McCarroll, Robbie McHugh, Joe Okell, Jamie Rowland

Imogen Faris, Lisa Gault, Samantha Green, Natalie Gurney, Deirdre Hopkins, Timothy Hughes, Harriet Humphries, Ada Kotowska, Jessica Rogers

Director of Partnerships

BROCHURE COVER ILLUSTRATION

Louise Robertson Partnerships Team

Natalie Moss, Amy Elton, Charlie Perkin, Emma Tarcy Marketing & Communications Director

Gramafilm E: info@gramafilm.com Tel: +44 (0)20 3051 8619 gramafilm.com

Ellen Johnson Communications Team

Nick Williams, Katie Williams, Fiona Simpson, Sophie Dudhill, Ashley McKay, Dana Thompson, Meredith Kenton, Ben Smart, Dave Hudson, Charlotte Cooper Photography Director

Claire Rees

PUBLISHED BY

British Academy of Film and Television Arts 195 Piccadilly London W1J 9LN T: +44 (0)20 7734 0022 E: reception@bafta.org bafta.org

Photography Coordinator

Jordan Anderson Graphic Designer

Lucy Shephard Brochure Editor

Toby Weidmann

All nominees imagery used with kind permission from the developers/distributors. Executive portraits: James Gourley/BAFTA/Rex/Shutterstock (Pippa Harris), BAFTA/Jonathan Birch (Amanda Berry).

With thanks to Kojima Productions.

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.

END CREDITS

© BAFTA 2020

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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL BRITISH ACADEMY GAMES AWARDS NOMINEES!

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