The 2023 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Game Awards was one for the history books. God of War: Ragnarok dominated the awards, winning six out of its fourteen nominations, while Vampire Survivors took home two awards, including Best Game. Dark fantasy epic Elden Ring was also honored, taking home two awards, while Stray, the cat simulator, went home empty-handed despite its eight nominations.
Rollerdrome won Best British Game and Last of Us voice actor Troy Baker presented the award. Christopher Judge and Laya Deleon Hayes, the voice actors for Kratos in God of War: Ragnarok, both took home awards for their work. Judge thanked the gaming community in his speech, saying “It is not lost on me that I’m a black man standing on a British stage accepting an award for playing a Spartan God killer, who in his heart always wants to be a father. It is the role of a lifetime. I’m gonna live and breathe every moment of this great gift that I was given. And I will do it humbly.” He went on to ask the gaming community “to give each other a break”, and to recognize that “you have more in common than what separates you. No matter what platform you love.”
The EE Game of the Year, which was voted on by the public, was also won by God of War: Ragnarok. Its animator Bruno Velazquez thanked the fans for the award, saying “This award is really special to us, because without all of you out there playing our games, we wouldn’t be able to do this.”
Rollerdrome’s win for Best British Game was a surprise, as many people had assumed that Vampire Survivors would take home the award. Its lead designer Andreas Yannikaris expressed his shock upon receiving the award, saying “That 10-year-old kid playing Mega Drive games never thought they’d have a seat at the table, and here we are today.”
The development team for Vampire Survivors were equally surprised by their win for Best Game, laughing as they said “We did not expect this” and thanking “the community, our fans and the players all around the world, on every format that they play on.”
The surprise win for Vampire Survivors over the heavily favored God of War: Ragnarok for Best Game has sparked speculation about what this might mean for the gaming industry. Could it be a sign of a new trend in gaming, or simply a one-off? Only time will tell.
Tunic won Best Debut Game and its creators were ecstatic. The award was presented by Inbetweeners star and YouTuber James Buckley, who said “one of the amazing things about gaming is the ability to share your experience with others.”
Shuhei Yoshieida was awarded the BAFTA Fellowship Award for his work in the gaming industry. Yoshieida said “every advancement of technology turns it into a tool for developers to create amazing things. So developers dream, because their next game could change the face of the industry forever. And I cannot wait.”
The 2023 BAFTA Game Awards was a night to remember, with God of War: Ragnarok dominating, Vampire Survivors surprising everyone with their Best Game win, and the gaming industry being honored for its achievements. Here’s to the future of gaming!
Bafta Games Awards 2023 – All winners List
– Best Game: Vampire Survivors
– Best British Game: Rollerdrome
– Performer in a Leading Role: Christopher Judge as Kratos in God of War: Ragnarok
– Performer in a Supporting Role: Laya Deleon Hayes as Angrboða in God of War: Ragnarok
– EE Game of the Year: God of War: Ragnarok
– Narrative: Immortality
– Evolving Game: Final Fantasy XIV
– Original Property: Elden Ring
– Multiplayer: Elden Ring
– Debut Game: Tunic
– Game Beyond Entertainment: Endling – Extinction is Forever
– Family Game: Kirby and the Forgotten Land
– Animation: God of War: Ragnarok
– Game Design: Vampire Survivors
– Artistic Achievement: Tunic
– Technical Achievement: Horizon Forbidden West
– Audio Achievement: God of War: Ragnarok
– Music: God of War: Ragnarok
