The BAFTA Games Awards concluded last night, celebrating some of the most innovative titles in the industry. Among the top winners were Balatro, which clinched the Debut Game award, and Vampire Survivors, honored with the Best Evolving Game accolade. These wins are noteworthy, especially considering Balatro's status as a breakout roguelike deckbuilder that has set the indie scene alight, prompting a surge in the search for similar potential hits. Vampire Survivors, on the other hand, stood out against formidable competitors like Diablo IV and Final Fantasy XIV Online, a testament to its ongoing evolution and impact on the gaming community.
While the BAFTA Games Awards may not boast the widespread viewership of Geoff Keighley's Game Awards, they hold a significant level of prestige within the industry. However, a point of contention remains the absence of platform-specific categories, particularly for mobile games. Since the mobile category was discontinued in 2019, the awards have not distinguished between platforms, a decision rooted in the belief that games should be judged on merit alone, irrespective of the platform they're played on.
This approach was elucidated by Luke Hebblethwaite, a member of the BAFTA games team, who emphasized the organization's view that games should stand on their own merits, regardless of the platform. Despite this, the success of titles like Balatro and Vampire Survivors, which have thrived on mobile platforms, underscores the significant role mobile gaming plays in the broader gaming ecosystem. Their recognition at such a prestigious event can be seen as an indirect nod to the mobile gaming community.
In my opinion, the lack of specific mobile categories might limit visibility for mobile-exclusive titles. Yet, the success of multiplatform games like Vampire Survivors and Balatro suggests that mobile gaming's reach and impact are undeniable. If you're keen to delve deeper into the world of mobile gaming and beyond, consider tuning into the latest episode of the Pocket Gamer Podcast, where my colleague Will and I discuss these topics in detail.
