The thing about the British Academy Video Games Awards is that they don’t really care if you’re a multi-billion dollar studio or a guy working out of a shed in Yorkshire. Honestly, that’s their whole vibe. While other shows feel like a high-speed collision between a Hollywood press junket and a rock concert, the BAFTAs feel like a prestigious, slightly nerdy dinner party where the guests actually played the games they're talking about.
You've probably seen the little gold masks. They aren't just for actors like Cillian Murphy or Kate Winslet. Since 2004, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts has been handing them out to developers, and if you ask anyone in the industry, they’ll tell you: it’s the one you actually want on your mantelpiece.
What actually happened at the 2025 British Academy Video Games Awards?
Last year was a bit of a wild ride. If you were betting on the big AAA blockbusters to sweep everything, you probably lost some money. Astro Bot was the undisputed king of the night. It didn't just win; it dominated, taking home five masks, including the big one: Best Game. It’s a platformer that basically acts as a love letter to PlayStation history, and the Academy clearly fell head over heels for it.
But the real "BAFTA moment" wasn't just the big Sony win. It was the love shown to Still Wakes the Deep. Developed by The Chinese Room (based in Brighton), this claustrophobic horror game set on a Scottish oil rig pulled off a massive feat by winning three awards. Alec Newman and Karen Dunbar both picked up performer awards for their roles in the game. It’s rare to see a horror title get that kind of respect in the acting categories, but that’s the British Academy Video Games Awards for you—they value the craft of the performance over the genre tropes.
Then you had Thank Goodness You're Here! winning British Game. It’s a surreal, "slap-about" comedy set in a fictional Northern English town. It is deeply, weirdly British. The fact that it stood on the same stage as Astro Bot tells you everything you need to know about how this ceremony operates.
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How the sausage gets made: The voting process
A lot of people think these awards are just a popularity contest. They aren't. Not even close.
The British Academy Video Games Awards are decided by about 1,700 industry professionals. These are people who actually make games—coders, artists, writers, and producers. They don't just click a button on a website. For most categories, there’s a rigorous jury system.
- The Longlist: It starts with a huge list (usually around 60 games).
- The Nominations: Members whittle that down to a shortlist.
- The Jury: Specialist juries—groups of experts in specific fields like audio or game design—sit in a room (or a Zoom call these days) and debate the merits of each game for hours.
They have to prove they’ve played the games. No "skipping the cutscenes" allowed. This is why you often see "smaller" games like Balatro (which won Debut Game in 2025) or Tales of Kenzera: ZAU (winner of Game Beyond Entertainment) beating out games with ten times their budget. The juries are looking for innovation and "outstanding creative achievement," not just who had the biggest marketing budget.
Looking ahead to the 2026 British Academy Video Games Awards
We are already seeing the gears turn for the next ceremony. The 22nd British Academy Video Games Awards are officially scheduled for Friday, 17 April 2026.
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The longlist for 2026 dropped recently, and it is stacked. We’re looking at 64 games across 17 categories. Some of the heavy hitters in the running for the next "Best Game" mask include:
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (Hideo Kojima is a BAFTA darling, so expect this to be everywhere).
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Hades II (The first Hades was a BAFTA sweetheart, so the sequel has big shoes to fill).
- Hollow Knight: Silksong (Yes, it’s actually on a list for once).
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
It’s also worth noting that the British Game category is looking incredibly competitive for 2026. With titles like Atomfall, Monument Valley 3, and Little Nightmares III on the longlist, the homegrown talent is showing no signs of slowing down.
Why does this ceremony even matter?
Honestly, the gaming world is flooded with "Game of the Year" awards. Every blog, YouTube channel, and soda brand seems to have one. So why do we care about a bunch of Brits in tuxedos?
It's the "E-E-A-T" factor—Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust. When the British Academy Video Games Awards gives a mask to a game like Vampire Survivors (which won Best Game in 2023, causing a bit of a shock), it validates the idea that game design is an art form. It puts games on the same level as Oppenheimer or Succession.
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For a developer, a BAFTA win isn't just a trophy; it’s a career-changer. It means your peers—the people who know how hard it is to make a character walk without clipping through a floor—think you’re the best in the world.
Actionable insights for the savvy gamer
If you want to get the most out of the awards season, don't just watch the stream and complain about the winners. Use it as a discovery tool.
- Check the "Game Beyond Entertainment" category: This is where the Academy puts games that tackle heavy themes like grief, climate change, or mental health. If you want a game that makes you think, start here.
- Follow the Longlist: The 2026 longlist is basically a high-quality shopping list. If a game made that list of 64, it has been vetted by professionals.
- Watch the Fellowship: Every year, the Academy gives a Fellowship to a legend. In 2025, it was the iconic composer Yoko Shimomura. Watching these acceptance speeches is a masterclass in the history of the medium.
The nominations for the 2026 awards will be announced on 12 March 2026. Between now and then, the best thing you can do is dive into that longlist. Play the "weird" games. Play the British indies. Because when April rolls around, you’ll want to know exactly why that little gold mask is going to whoever ends up holding it.