- The BAFTA Games Awards wrapped last night
- Top winners included Balatro and Vampire Survivors
- But does the lack of platform-specific categories affect visibility?
Although Geoff Keighley’s Game Awards might boast a larger audience, I believe that the BAFTAs hold a more esteemed status when it comes to prestige, even if they lack the same level of glamour and pomp. Regarding the BAFTA Games Awards 2024, while there were no dedicated mobile categories, two notable victories went to significant mobile game launches that took place in the previous year, making them worth highlighting.
Balatro, without a doubt, claimed victory in the Debut Game category. This could be seen as a double-edged sword since Localthunk’s unassuming roguelike deckbuilder has ignited a buzz within the industry. However, it has also led to a surge of publishers sifting through numerous up-and-coming indies, hoping to discover another (possibly non-existent) mega-success.
In the year 2023, Vampire Survivors, a game that won the title of Best Game, was also recognized as the Best Game with Continuous Development. This is quite an impressive feat since it managed to outshine heavyweights such as Diablo IV and Final Fantasy XIV Online during this process.
What, no mobile?
At the BAFTA Games Awards, you might have noticed an uncommon approach – they don’t focus on giving out prizes for specific gaming platforms. In 2019, this decision led to the elimination of a category dedicated solely to mobile games. Even with significant victories from popular mobile and multiplatform titles like Vampire Survivors and Genshin Impact, the awards have largely maintained their original format.
In the past, I had an opportunity to converse with Luke Hebblethwaite, a member of the BAFTA games team. He shared that the organization believes categorizing games by specific platforms goes against their viewpoint that titles can compete equally regardless of the platform on which they are released.
Regardless of personal views, it’s hard to argue that Balatro and Vampire Survivors didn’t gain significantly from the exposure mobile platforms provided. Perhaps this serves as a small source of comfort, considering it reflects acknowledgement of their worth.
Hey there fellow gamer! Just wanted to share my take on things – it’s all good, you know? If you’re game for more insights, don’t miss out on the latest installment of our podcast, Pocket Gamer, where Will and I dive deep into the world of mobile gaming (and more!) in an exciting co-op conversation. Stay tuned!
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2025-04-09 17:18