Vampire Survivors, Balatro Shine at BAFTA Games Awards

The BAFTA Games Awards concluded last night, spotlighting some of the industry's standout titles. Among the top winners were Balatro and Vampire Survivors, showcasing the impact of mobile gaming despite the absence of platform-specific categories. This raises the question: does the lack of such categories affect the visibility of mobile games?

While the BAFTAs might not match the scale of Geoff Keighley's Game Awards, they arguably surpass it in prestige, focusing on the artistry and innovation in gaming. The absence of mobile-specific categories since 2019 was evident again this year, yet we saw significant wins from games with strong mobile presences.

Balatro, the debut game from Localthunk, clinched the Debut Game award. This roguelike deckbuilder has stirred excitement across the industry, with many in the gaming world now on the lookout for the next big indie hit. On the other hand, Vampire Survivors, which won Best Game in 2023, took home the Best Evolving Game award this year. This is a remarkable achievement, especially considering it outshone heavyweights like Diablo IV and Final Fantasy XIV Online.

What, no mobile? The BAFTA Games Awards take a unique stance by not recognizing platform-specific achievements, a decision made in 2019. This approach stems from the belief that games should be judged on merit alone, regardless of the platform they're played on. This philosophy was articulated by Luke Hebblethwaite, a member of the BAFTAs game team, who emphasized that games should stand toe-to-toe irrespective of their platform.

Both Balatro and Vampire Survivors have undoubtedly benefited from their availability on mobile platforms, expanding their reach and impact. This broad accessibility might serve as a form of recognition in itself, even if the awards don't explicitly acknowledge mobile gaming.

That's my take on it. If you're interested in diving deeper into the world of mobile gaming and beyond, don't miss the latest episode of the Pocket Gamer Podcast, where Will and I discuss these topics and more.