The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has officially pulled back the curtain on the nominees for the 22nd BAFTA Games Awards. Celebrating a year of immense creative shifts and technical brilliance, the Academy has recognized 42 unique titles across 17 categories, showcasing a diverse landscape of global development.
Leading the Pack
The standout story of this year’s nominations is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which leads the field with a staggering 12 nominations. Close behind are the narrative-driven Dispatch with nine nods and the highly anticipated Ghost of Yotei with eight. Other heavy hitters include Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (7) and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (6).
A New Generation of Talent
This year highlights a significant influx of fresh faces. Out of the 12 nominees in the performance categories, nine are receiving their first-ever BAFTA nomination. These include high-profile names like Aaron Paul and Jeffrey Wright for Dispatch, alongside Charlie Cox and Jennifer English for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Furthermore, the industry’s evolution is evident in the 17 studios nominated for the first time. Six of these are vying for the prestigious Debut Game award, emphasizing a vibrant era for independent and first-time developers such as Sandfall Interactive and Embark Studios.
Event Details
The ceremony is set to take place at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London, on Friday, 17 April 2026. For those unable to attend the Southbank festivities in person, the awards will be livestreamed globally on the BAFTA YouTube channel.
Commitment to Diversity
The BAFTA Games Awards serve as a centerpiece for the London Games Festival, which includes Ensemble, an exhibition celebrating UK games professionals from Black, Asian, and underrepresented ethnicities. BAFTA continues to encourage applications for membership from women and underrepresented communities to ensure the voting body reflects the diversity of the industry it celebrates.
Tara Saunders, Chair of BAFTA’s Games Committee, praised the nominees for their "innovation, hard work, and resilience" during a period of industry reshaping.
