BAFTA Games Awards 2024 Show Notes

SHOW NOTES

2024

GET EXCLUSIVE CONSOLE BUNDLES

OPEN TO EVERY PLAYER ON ANY NETWORK

CONTENTS 2-3 WELCOME LET TERS 4-9 THE HOST: PHIL WANG 10-15 THE SPECIAL AWARD: SPECIALEFFECT 16-25 THE BREAK THROUGHS: HOLLY REDDAWAY, KIT T 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

W E LC O M E 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 CEO, BAFTA

Sara Putt BAFTA Chair

THE HOST Phil Wang Takes the Controls photography : dan fearon

Heroes are made, not born.

According to Phil Wang, at least.

5

“ I’M ALL ABOUT IMMERSION...

ABOUT FEELING LIKE I ’ M ACT UA L LY T H E R E .

TO T H E P O I N T T H AT I OF TEN ABANDON GA M ES I F H I T P O I N TS COME OFF OF ENEMIES – B E CAU S E T H AT WO U L D N ’ T H A P P E N 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. played my first ever Zelda (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild). I know Baldur’s The first game I ever played Gate 3 was everyone else’s was Ski Free that came with 2023 video game achievement, Windows 95. But I could but for me, it was catching never figure out how to escape up with 2017. the yeti (spoilers) so never got hooked to be honest. It’s hard you appeared in a very fun role in one of this to say for sure, but I think the year’s bafta-nominated first game I played a lot of was films, wonka. what was either Sim Theme Park on the that like?

PC or WWF War Zone on the It was surreal! I’d never been PS1. I still know the combo in a movie before, let alone for a vertical suplex ( ). a big one like that. I fractured my arm on the first day. what made 2023 an Never fractured anything exciting year for before. I’ve never tap danced you as a player? with Timothée Chalamet on This is a bit embarrassing, a table before either. So, it but it was the year I finally was a lot of firsts. got a Nintendo Switch and what was the first ever game that really got you hooked?

7

8

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!

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 what do you think immersion. About feeling like keeps you interested and passionate about I’m actually there. To the point the world of games, that I often abandon games if and excited about the hit points come off of enemies, future of the industry? because that wouldn’t happen They get more and more in real life. And of course, beautiful. And more and a good story makes a huge more immersive. And more difference. It’s easy to overinteresting, and ambitious. look good voice acting and When I was a kid I never dialogue, which is vital. thought that there’d be a time when you’d have to bafta young game be a full-time professional designers is one of our to play all the good games biggest competitions available. But that time is now! 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 9

THE SPECIAL AWA R D How SpecialEffect Changed The Game tex t : l aura k ate 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.

11

“ W E F O U N D WAYS

D I S A B L E D YO U N G PEOPLE COULD USE T E C H N O LO GY TO AC H I E V E AC C E S S TO E D U CAT I O N . B U T PA R E N T S W E R E S AY I N G TO M E , ‘ W E L L , T H AT ’S G R E AT, B U T M Y C H I L D CA N ’ T P L AY W I T H T H E I R F R I E N DS .’ A S A N E D U CAT I O N A L I ST, I K N E W T H AT P L AY WA S R E A L LY I M P O R TA N T ” – Dr Mick Donegan, founder

12

empathy for the importance For the first time in our games play in young life. “In industry’s history, all three my former job, I was working major home video game to help young people of consoles on sale – that’s the education age to be able to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series access school work.While we Consoles, and Nintendo Switch – support an officially (had found all) sorts of ways in which people could use a licensed, mass-produced, accessibility-focused controller. range of technology to achieve access to education and While the history of accessibility-focused controllers communication, the parents were saying to me, ‘Well, stretches back nearly as far as video games themselves (early that's great but my child can't play with their friends’,” attempts to create adaptive controllers include those made Donegan explains. “As an educationalist, I knew that for systems like the 1970s Magnavox Odyssey to support play was really important.”

“In the early 2000s more and veterans returning from the Vietnam war) it is impossible more people were playing video games, and it became to tell the story of accessible gaming hardware for disabled obvious this was something gamers – both today and over that those young people were missing out on,” he continues. the past 17 years – without “There was no specialist discussing the exceptional organisation in the UK that work done by SpecialEffect.

Tonight, the UK-based charity I could refer them on to.” is being recognised with the When Donegan formed BAFTA Games Special Award. SpecialEffect in 2007, the Founded by Dr Mick Donegan charity’s focus was on creating bespoke accessibility hardware in 2007, SpecialEffect was setups, often through hacking born from a noticeable gap in support for disabled young existing hardware to fit new use cases. This often involved people in accessing games, visiting disabled players in their as well as a lack of perceived 13

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’.”

it’s important to remember how things were when SpecialEffect formed. While While much of SpecialEffect’s dedicated organisations were out there trying to advocate work hasn’t changed since for accessibility support, video its founding, one area they game accessibility was still have expanded into is direct outreach work with developers well over a decade from and publishers. Both the Xbox becoming a topic of mainstream conversation.

Adaptive Controller and PlayStation Access Controller In the current moment, games were developed in consultation focusing on software-based with SpecialEffect, and the accessibility are receiving award mass production of those nominations for that work, modular controller bases has and major games websites done a huge amount to lower are including coverage of the barrier of entry of the cost such features in game reviews. of accessible gaming hardware However, in the background, and setups. While some SpecialEffect continues doing players still require bespoke pivotal work to make sure hardware, for many others that financial, educational and these controllers have brought physical barriers don’t prevent accessible hardware to a price disabled players from having point that can be accessed the best chance possible of without that financial support. playing the kinds of video While video game accessibility games we all love. 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, 15

In-conversation

H O L LY R E D D AWAY KIT T BYRNE MICHAEL ANDERSON

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 tex t : 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.

17

company, and I got it. I went I think my degree was literally away and worked in the just called Computer Games: children’s publishing industry for a bit, upskilled my art it was the first year they’d done it. I soon realised I hadn’t directing and illustration, then worked my way back learned enough in one area into games as an artist. to become a junior anything.

I’d always heard that you can holly reddaway : I got become a games tester, then into voice directing initially once you’re in, you can branch because I was working in out. I ended up finding a job theatre; I did a drama degree, at Sega, continued up the and then I trained at Lamda games testing ladder, became on their MA Directing course, a QA lead, then a friend told which is largely theatre-based me about this place called training. I made lots of friends ustwo. That’s where I am that were acting in games at still after 11 years. that time, and that’s how I got the idea to voice direct. It’s kit t byrne : Like Mike, I desperately wanted to work really a validating, liberating experience to be recognised in games growing up, and I always really liked art as well. by BAFTA. Particularly as a freelancer, I’m always thinkSo, I studied Graphic Arts because at the time, there were ing about the next job and only two games courses in the what I need to be doing to build a sustainable career, country, and they were both and that sometimes feels too close to home! (laughs) all-encompassing.

But it was tricky to get into the industry. I’ve been through kb : It’s such a huge and all sorts of jobs; I worked in amazing industry, but that retail, I worked in TV. And can be scary sometimes when then I got onto a Channel you’re fighting to get into it.

Four production trainee To be uplifted by BAFTA and scheme. For one year, they be told, ‘this is good enough, had a placement at a games michael anderson :

19

“ T H E S TO R Y T E L L I N G I N GA M ES I S C O M P L E T E LY U N PA R A L L E L E D, I T ’S S O A M B I T I O U S, A N D I T ’S SO DIVERSE ” – Holly Reddaway

you’ve earned a place here’, example – I’ve never met has really changed my outlook a voice director, especially on my future completely. working on a huge game.

The industry can be quite ma : You’ve used up all the partitioned off in many ways, best words! Can I add the and it’s too easy to just get word ‘affirming’? Personally, stuck in your own discipline.

I always flip-flop between being like, ‘I’m awesome. hr : There’s a real generosity I suck. I’m awesome. I suck.’ in the games industry, and a I never know which day I’m real, deep sense of camaraderie. gonna have. Knowing that I’ve really found that, having people I respect think my work been part of previous BAFTA is good is super important to programmes like Crew and me. We’ve also connected Connect. What feels special with the global cohort as well, about Breakthrough, because to see if (we can) have a meet it’s such a small group of us all up. Just knowledge-share. hitting the same moment at More friends is always good. the same time, is that it feels like the most distilled version kb : Agreed! As an indie of the way in which BAFTA developer, it’s so important fosters community. to meet people. Holly, for 21

“ I T ’S B E E N

C O M F O R T I N G TO S E E P E O P L E LO O K I N G O U T F O R E AC H OT H E R ” – Kitt Byrne

ma : For me, it’s been great

same time, this is an industry speaking with people like that’s gone through quite a Funmi (Olutoye) who few ups and downs. It’s been works in TV, because that’s comforting to see people a completely foreign world looking out for each other. to me. And of course, from Whenever you hear that a film, my close personal friend company has laid off workers, Bella Ramsey was there on the everybody’s rallying around, photo shoot. That was cool. and making space for support. (laughs) hr : Games are such an kb : I thought the career incredible tool for empathy. coaching session was Lots of my family and friends incredible. What it really did were like, “Oh, why have for me was help expand my you moved into games?” mind to what the possibilities It’s because the storytelling could be, beyond what was in games is completely probably a very timid view of, unparalleled, it’s so ambitious, ‘oh, maybe one day I’ll direct and it’s so diverse. As you say, my own company.’ The career it’s been so brilliant to see coaching was very much like: everyone turning up and ‘Maybe one day you’ll run supporting each other. the whole industry!’ At the 23

ma : People are going to know hr : It’s been amazing to see

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.

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.

24

IS PROUD TO SUPPORT

BAFTA BREAKTHROUGH AND CREATIVE TALENT IN GAMES PLAY SOON ON NETFLIX GAMES

THE YO U N G GA M E 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...

27

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.”

28

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!”

29

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.”

30

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.”

31

20 YEARS OF G A M E P L AY 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 32

Laya DeLeon Hayes

34

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 35

“ 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

36

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.

37

THE N O M I N AT I O N S pg . 41 Animation pg . 42 Artistic Achievement pg . 43 Audio Achievement pg . 44 Best Game pg . 46 British Game pg . 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

© 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.

A N I M AT I O N alan wake 2

Development Team Remedy Entertainment/ Epic Games hi - fi rush

Development Team Tango Gameworks/ Bethesda Softworks marvel ’ s spider - man 2

hogwarts legacy

Development Team Insomniac Games/ Sony Interactive Entertainment

Development Team Avalanche Software/ Warner Bros. Games

star wars jedi : survivor

Development Team Respawn Entertainment/ Electronic Arts super mario bros . wonder

Development Team Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

41

ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT alan wake 2

Development Team Remedy Entertainment/ Epic Games baldur ’ s gate 3

Development Team Larian Studio/Larian Studio

cocoon

diablo iv

Development Team Geometric Interactive/ Annapurna Interactive

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

42

AUDIO ACHIEVEMENT alan wake 2

Development Team Remedy Entertainment/ Epic Games call of dut y : modern warfare iii

Development Team Sledgehammer Games/ Activision hi - fi rush

the legend of zelda : tears of the kingdom

Development Team Tango Gameworks/ Bethesda Softworks

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 43

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

dave the diver

Development Team MINTROCKET/ MINTROCKET

Development Team Nintendo EPD/Nintendo marvel ’ s spider - man 2

Development Team Insomniac Games/ Sony Interactive Entertainment super mario bros . wonder

Development Team Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

45

BRITISH GAME casset te beasts

Development Team Bytten Studio/Raw Fury

dead island 2

Development Team Dambuster Studios/ PLAION disney illusion island

football manager 2024

Development Team Dlala Studios/Disney

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 46

DEBUT GAME cocoon

Development Team Geometric Interactive/ Annapurna Interactive dave the diver

Development Team MINTROCKET/ MINTROCKET stray gods : the roleplaying musical

dredge

Development Team Black Salt Games/ Team17 Digital

Development Team Summerfall Studios/ Humble Games venba

Abhi, Sam Elkana, Shahrin Khan Visai Games/Visai Games viewfinder

Development Team Sad Owl Studios/ Thunderful Publishing

47

E V O LV I N G G A M E cyberpunk 2077

Development Team CD PROJEKT RED/ CD PROJEKT RED final fantasy xiv online

Development Team Creative Business Unit III/ Square Enix forza horizon 5

fortnite

Development Team Playground Games/ Xbox Game Studios

Development Team Epic Games/Epic Games

genshin impact

Development Team HoYoverse/HoYoverse

no man ’ s sky

Development Team Hello Games/Hello Games

49

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners at the 2024 BAFTA Games Awards

From everyone at

MAKING LONDON THE GAMES CAPITAL OF THE WORLD www.games.london

FA M I LY cocoon

Development Team Geometric Interactive/ Annapurna Interactive dave the diver

Development Team MINTROCKET/ MINTROCKET hi - fi rush

disney illusion island

Development Team Tango Gameworks/ Bethesda Softworks

Development Team Dlala Studios/Disney

hogwarts legacy

Development Team Avalanche Software/ Warner Bros. Games super mario bros . wonder

Development Team Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

51

GAME BEYOND E N T E R TA I N M E N T chants of sennaar

Julien Moya, Thomas Panuel Rundisc/Focus Entertainment

goodbye volcano high

Development Team KO_OP/KO_OP tchia

terra nil

Phil Crifo, Marilou Lopez-Aguilera, Thoanë Thomadra Awaceb/Kepler Interactive

Development Team Free Lives/Devolver Digital

thirst y suitors

Development Team Outerloop Games/ Annapurna Interactive venba

Abhi, Sam Elkana, Shahrin Khan Visai Games/Visai Games

52

GAME DESIGN cocoon

Development Team Geometric Interactive/ Annapurna Interactive dave the diver

Development Team MINTROCKET/ MINTROCKET the legend of zelda : tears of the kingdom

dredge

Joel Mason, Alex Ritchie, Nadia Thorn Black Salt Games/ Team17 Digital

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

53

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE NOMINEES

An Official Games Partner to the BAFTA Games Awards

M U LT I P L AY E R baldur ’ s gate 3

Development Team Larian Studio/Larian Studio call of dut y : modern warfare iii

Development Team Sledgehammer Games/ Activision forza motorsport

diablo iv

Development Team Turn 10 Studios/ Xbox Game Studios

Development Team Blizzard Entertainment/ Blizzard Entertainment

part y animals

Development Team Recreate Games/ Source Technology super mario bros . wonder

Development Team Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

55

MUSIC alan wake 2

Development Team Remedy Entertainment/ Epic Games assassin ’ s creed mirage

Development Team Ubisoft/Ubisoft baldur ’ s gate 3

the legend of zelda : tears of the kingdom

Borislav Slavov Larian Studio/ Larian Studio

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 56

N A R R AT I V E alan wake 2

Development Team Remedy Entertainment/ Epic Games baldur ’ s gate 3

Development Team Larian Studio/ Larian Studio final fantasy xvi

dredge

Kazutoyo Maehiro, Michael-Christopher Koji Fox Creative Business Unit III/ Square Enix

Joel Mason, Alex Ritchie, Nadia Thorn Black Salt Games/ Team17 Digital

the legend of zelda : tears of the kingdom

Development Team Nintendo EPD/Nintendo star wars jedi : survivor

Development Team Respawn Entertainment/ Electronic Arts 57

NEW INTELLECTUAL PROPERT Y chants of sennaar

Julien Moya, Thomas Panuel Rundisc/Focus Entertainment

dave the diver

Development Team MINTROCKET/ MINTROCKET hi - fi rush

dredge

Development Team Black Salt Games/ Team17 Digital

Development Team Tango Gameworks/ Bethesda Softworks jusant

Development Team DON’T NOD/ DON’T NOD viewfinder

Development Team Sad Owl Studios/ Thunderful Publishing

58

PERFORMER IN A LEADING ROLE amelia t yler

Narrator Baldur’s Gate 3

cameron monaghan

Cal Kestis Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

neil newbon

nadji jeter

Astarion Baldur’s Gate 3

Miles Morales Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

samantha b É art

Karlach Baldur’s Gate 3

yuri lowenthal

Peter Parker Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

59

PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE andrew wincot t

Raphael Baldur’s Gate 3

debra wilson

Cere Junda Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

ralph ineson

sam lake

Cidolfus “Cid” Telamon Final Fantasy XVI

Alex Casey Alan Wake 2

tony todd

Venom Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

tracy wiles

Jaheira Baldur’s Gate 3

60

TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT alan wake 2

Development Team Remedy Entertainment/ Epic Games final fantasy xvi

Ryota Suzuki, Yasuhiro Yanamoto, Kei Honda Creative Business Unit III/ Square Enix the legend of zelda : tears of the kingdom

horizon call of the mountain

Development Team Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

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

61

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

62

EE PL AYERS’ C H O I C E AWA R D baldur ’ s gate 3

Larian Studio/Larian Studio

cyberpunk 2077

CD PROJEKT RED/ CD PROJEKT RED

the legend of zelda : tears of the kingdom

fortnite

Epic Games/Epic Games

Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

lethal company

Zeekerss/Zeekerss

marvel ’ s spider - man 2

Insomniac Games/ Sony Interactive Entertainment All nominations correct at time of press.

63

Cassie Hughes (@GeekyCassie)

HOW TO GET I N V O LV E D 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

65

THE JURIES

juries

audio achievement

Adele Cutting (Chair) Georgia Mae Ayling Jey Kazi Kevin Regamey Kristen Quinn Lisa Devon Lydia Andrew Malin Arvidsson Robert Krekel debut game

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

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

66

family

multiplayer

Katherine Bidwell (Chair) Dan Da Rocha Jennifer Allen John Lau Lisy Kane Liz Mercuri Marie Foulston Matthew Horsfall Nikki Stearman Reece Millidge

Nick Button-Brown (Chair) Alysia Judge Ben Board Catherine Chew Emily Bailey Jennifer Schneidereit Michael Othen-Reeves Susan Cummings Victoria Caña

game beyond entertainment

Li Ma (Chair) Danai Kokogia Helen Lynch Janice Kwan Julie Elven Paul Wolinski Richard Jacques Xiao-Xiao Zhu

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

music

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

67

new intellectual propert y

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

68

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

hilary rosen

Chair, Television Committee

President of BAFTA

tara saunders barbara broccoli cbe

Chair, Games Committee

Vice-President, Film

bal samra david gardner obe

Co-optee and Chair, Commercial Committee and Chair, Governance and Appointments Committee

Vice-President, Games dame pippa harris dbe

Vice-President, Television

paul taiano obe

Co-optee and Chair, Finance, Audit and Risk Committee

board of trustees sara put t

Chair of BAFTA

co - optees

Kathryn Busby Patrick Keegan Elliot Knight Andrew Miller mbe

julie la ’ bassiere siobhan reddy

Deputy Chairs of BAFTA anna higgs

honorary advisors

Chair, Film Committee

Medwyn Jones Marc Samuelson

ade rawcliffe

Chair, Learning, Inclusion and Talent Committee 70

executive jane millichip

Chief Executive Officer committees elected members of the film commit tee

elected members of the television commit tee

Anna Higgs Chair Emily Stillman Deputy Chair Anthony Andrews Geraldine Atlee Nainita Desai Alexa Jago Julie La’Bassiere David Proud Jason Solomons Clare Stewart

Hilary Rosen Chair Christine Healy Deputy Chair Adeel Amini Furquan Akhtar Emma Butt Rajiv Nathwani Ade Rawcliffe Beryl Richards* Sue Vertue Claire Zolkwer

elected members of the games commit tee

Tara Saunders Chair Des Gayle Deputy Chair Katherine Bidwell Nick Button-Brown* James Brooksby Anisa Sanusi Del Walker

* Children’s Representatives 71

GA M E S AWA R D S PARTNERS With enduring thanks to our Audience Award sponsor and official partners to the BAFTA Games Awards in 2024.

AU D I E N C E AWA R D S P O N S O R

O F F I C I A L GA M E S PA R T N E R S

O F F I C I A L PA R T N E R S

Official Champagne

Official Scrutineers

Official Hotel

Official Wine

72

Official Water

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS b a f ta w i s h e s t o t h a n k ... the games c ommit tee

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 put t

Chair of BAFTA j u l i e l a ’ b a s s i e r e , s i o b h a n r e d dy

Deputy Chairs of BAFTA

Games voting juries and members The games companies and publishers for their invaluable assistance p h i l wa n g

Our host

l u cy j a m e s , j a n e d o u g l a s

Red carpet hosts

j a m e s fa r m e r , g l e n n m o o r e , k at i e s t o r e y , p h i l wa n g

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 B A F TA e x e c u t i v e d i r e c t o r o f awa r d s & c o n t e n t

Emma Baehr h e a d o f awa r d s

head of games

Kelly Smith

Luke Hebblethwaite

g a m e s o f f i c e r

g a m e s c o o r d i n at o r

Lewis Peet

Tia Wedderburn

awa r d s

Chloe Fraser, Daljit Billen, Deirdre Hopkins, Edward Hubbard, Katie Warren, Meghana Krishnamurthy, Natalie Gurney, Nick Boocock e x e c u t i v e p r o d u c e r Cassandra Hybel

executive producer o f g a m e s awa r d s

Rebecca Hardy

producer

Harry Balmforth productions

Daniel Dalton, Ella Coveney, Georgia Maskery, Jamie Rowland, Jasmine Mounir, Joe Okell, Kristen Helmick, Lauren Prince, Victoria Walker h e a d o f e v e n t s

event producer

Lucy Waller

Natalie Stone

events

Ewan Pollitt, Penney Chu, Phil Harrison, Phoebe Barden, Reon McLeod, Siobhan Pridgeon, Sophie Griffiths

74

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY

Live in the Delicious PROUD TO BE OFFICIAL WINE PARTNER SINCE 2009.

c o n t i n u e d ...

executive director of pa r t n e r s h i p s & f u n d r a i s i n g

h e a d o f pa r t n e r s h i p s

Louise Robertson

Kathryn Thomas

pa r t n e r s h i p s

Amy Elton, Elizabeth Garshasbi, Emma Tarcy, Olivia Young, Ute Müller e x e c u t i v e d i r e c t o r o f p r & c o m m u n i c at i o n s

Donna Mathews p r & c o m m u n i c at i o n s

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 m e m b e r s h i p

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 e d i t o r

d es i g n & c ov e r a rt

Claire Marie Healy

Abigail Bills

photography director

ad sales

Claire Rees

Emma Tarcy, Ute Müller

j u n i o r p r o d u c e r , p h o t o g r a p h y

Jordan Anderson p h o t o g r a p h y a s s i s ta n t

Ellie Elliot printer

FE Burman Ltd London feburman.co.uk

CBP024035

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.

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. 78

Published by b a f ta

195 Piccadilly London W1J 9LN Tel: +44 (0)20 7734 0022 reception@bafta.org bafta.org ©BAFTA 2024

HOST YOUR NEX T EVENT AT T H E S P E C TA C U L A R B A F T A 1 9 5 P I C C A D I L L Y, THE PRESTIGIOUS H E A D Q U A R T E R S O F B A F TA

Housed in a historic Grade II Listed building in the heart of London’s West End, BAFTA 195 Piccadilly is a world-class venue, providing five floors of innovative stateof-the-art facilities for special events.

baftapiccadilly@bafta.org +44 207 734 0022 @bafta195 BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LN

In gaming your worlds are infinite.

In real life you only get one.

BAFTA albert is the leading screen industry organisation for environmental sustainability. We help entertainment create a future we all want to live in.

Scan the QR code for more information.