BAFTA Unveils 2025 Games Awards Longlist
58 Games Compete for 17 Awards
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced its longlist for the 2025 BAFTA Games Awards. A remarkable 58 games, spanning diverse genres, are vying for awards across 17 categories. This impressive selection was chosen from a pool of 247 games released between November 25, 2023, and November 15, 2024.
The final nominees will be revealed on March 4, 2025, culminating in the awards ceremony on April 8, 2025.
Best Game Contenders:
Ten exceptional titles are in the running for the coveted "Best Game" award:
- ANIMAL WELL
- Astro Bot
- Balatro
- Black Myth: Wukong
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
- Helldivers 2
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
- Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Thank Goodness You’re Here!
- Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Following Baldur’s Gate 3's triumphant six-award win at the 2024 ceremony (from ten nominations), anticipation is high for this year's winner.
Beyond Best Game:
While not competing for "Best Game," many other titles remain in contention across 16 additional categories: Animation, Artistic Achievement, Audio Achievement, British Game, Debut Game, Evolving Game, Family, Game Beyond Entertainment, Game Design, Multiplayer, Music, Narrative, New Intellectual Property, Technical Achievement, Performer in a Leading Role, and Performer in a Supporting Role.
Notable Exclusions from Best Game:
This year's "Best Game" category notably excludes several high-profile releases: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, and Silent Hill 2. According to BAFTA's rules, remasters released outside the eligibility period, full remakes, and substantial new content are ineligible for the "Best Game" and "British Game" awards, though they may compete in other categories showcasing originality.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Silent Hill 2 are still in the running for awards such as Music, Narrative, and Technical Achievement. Interestingly, Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is absent from the BAFTA list, though it's expected to feature in other year-end awards, including The Game Awards.
The complete BAFTA Games Awards longlist is available on the official BAFTA website.
