BAFTA Recreation Awards: Why God of Battle’s upset is a big deal By Ian Dean printed 31 March 23 Video video games A shock outcome, however what does it imply?

6 months ago 4 min read

There was a shock final night time on the BAFTA Recreation Awards as favorite God of Battle Ragnarök misplaced out to indie hit Vampire Survivors, which crept from the shadows to seize BAFTA’s two most coveted awards, successful within the sport design and finest sport classes. However what does it imply and why ought to all indies be celebrating?

Earlier this month when the BAFTA Recreation Awards nominations have been revealed God of Battle Ragnarök was the clear entrance runner, and had been nominated in a record-breaking 15 classes. Learn God of Battle Ragnarök overview to search out out why everybody thought it might clean-up on the BAFTA Recreation Awards.

Whereas Sony Santa Monica’s big-budget sport received in classes reminiscent of for animation and performer in a number one position with Christopher Decide, it was indie sport Vampire Survivors that took residence the most important BAFTA awards. A shoot-’em-up with a low-key painterly artwork model, Vampire Survivors was largely developed by solo coder Luca Galante and is the type of win that not often occurs.

BAFTA Recreation Award winners shock

God of Battle Ragnarök nonetheless managed some key wins, together with the EE sport of the yr BAFTA as voted for by avid gamers (Picture credit score: Getty Photos for BAFTA)

Vampire Survivors pits gamers towards an ever-growing military of surging monsters and an ever-shifting panorama; the singular purpose is to outlive for so long as potential. Successful a BAFTA Recreation Award for finest sport and sport design, Vampire Survivors earned the 2 most prized awards and took many unexpectedly.

This was a theme at this yr’s BAFTA Recreation Awards, and shall be remembered for celebrating the achievements of indies and lesser-known or eccentric video games. For instance, the elegantly designed Tunic received two BAFTAs for inventive achievement and debut sport – like Vampire Survivors this was a solo venture by designer Andrew Shouldice. Champion of originality, Sam Barlow scooped a BAFTA for finest narrative for his advanced FMV sport Immortality and offbeat indie Rollerdrome received for finest British Recreation.

for those who’re a small sport studio or indie developer proper now, the world seems to be like a extra accepting place

What does the success of small, unbiased video games imply? Properly, for those who’re a small sport studio or indie developer proper now, the world seems to be like a extra accepting place. As developer instruments reminiscent of Unreal Engine 5 and Unity’s next-gen tech grow to be simpler and extra accessible, it appears good concepts and originality will be rewarded. Recreation builders, even working solo for years, can win huge at occasions just like the BAFTA Recreation Awards that have been as soon as the protect of AAA blockbuster video games.

In fact, there was some love for Kratos, as Sony’s sport nonetheless managed to win extra BAFTAs than some other title launched in 2022, together with taking residence the EE sport of the yr award, the one gong to be voted for by most of the people, however the reality the most important awards went to a small indie is trigger for celebration.

Different notable wins at this yr’s BAFTA Recreation Awards for AAA releases have been in areas you’d anticipate these builders to excel, together with From Software program’s excellent fantasy role-playing journey Elden Ring, which received within the multiplayer and authentic property classes. There was a second win for Sony when Horizon Forbidden West took away the BAFTA for technical achievement.

BAFTA Game Award winners; a game developer wins an award

Sony’s Shuhei Yoshida accepts the Fellowship BAFTA for his contribution to video video games (Picture credit score: Getty Photos for BAFTA)

However there was a theme on the BAFTA Recreation Awards, and it was a celebration of indies. It was becoming then, that Sony’s Shuhei Yoshida, a champion of indie sport improvement inside Sony, earned the BAFTA Fellowship award for his ‘excellent and distinctive contribution to movie, video games or tv’.

As he accepted his award Yoshida stated: “Indie builders, dream on, as a result of your subsequent sport may change the face of the business ceaselessly”.

A becoming speech given the variety of indie winners at this yr’s BAFTA Recreation Awards, and maybe a sign that the improvements dropped at life by small groups and solo builders are actually lastly being seen because the lifeblood of the video games business, and never simply necessary but additionally, now, profitable on the most important stage. Should you’re an indie sport developer the world simply received quite a bit friendlier.

Yow will discover the complete winners record on the BAFTA Recreation Awards web site (opens in new tab).

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