On March 30, 2023, Queen Elizabeth Hall hosted the 19th British Academy Games Awards. The prestigious occasion unfolded on the backdrop of the global video game industry’s sustained growth, post-pandemic.
Among other trends, the occasion unfolded on the backdrop of the incursion of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in gaming.
Biggest Winner: God of War Ragnarök
God of War Ragnarök, which gamers and critics alike welcomed in November 2022 with glowing reviews, won six awards. It won awards for Animation, Audio Achievement, and Music, as well as the EE Limited Game of the Year award.
Two of its leading characters also received the awards for Performers in a Lead and Supporting Role, respectively.
The game recorded fourteen nominations, including Best Game.
Dark Horse: Vampire Survivors
Contrary to expectations, the time survival game Vampire Survivors clinched the prime award for Best Game. The understated, roguelike game also secured the award for Game Design.
More Double Wins
Elden Ring, a Best Game favourite, made do with the awards for Multiplayer and Original Property. Tunic, a fox-led adventure, won the awards for Artistic Achievement and Debut Game.
Other Winners
Rollerdrome won the British Game award, while Final Fantasy XIV won the Evolving Game award. Kirby and the Forgotten Land conquered the Family category. Endling – Extinction is Forever conquered the Game Beyond Entertainment category for its climate change outlook.
Immortality, an interactive film video game, won the Narrative award. Horizon Forbidden West, an action-adventure offering, won the Technical Achievement award.
Geeky Nigeria reports that The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is an independent organisation that supports, develops, and promotes the arts of film, television and video games in the United Kingdom.
