The BAFTA Games Awards concluded last night, celebrating the best in gaming with notable wins for Balatro and Vampire Survivors. However, the absence of platform-specific categories raises questions about visibility for mobile games.
While the BAFTAs might not have the widespread audience of Geoff Keighley's Game Awards, they hold a significant level of prestige, if not the same level of spectacle. Despite the lack of a dedicated mobile category in the 2024 BAFTA Games Awards, we saw impressive victories from recent mobile launches.
Balatro, a roguelike deckbuilder, clinched the Debut Game award. This success has sparked industry excitement, though it also highlights the pressure on publishers to find the next big indie hit. On the other hand, Vampire Survivors, which won Best Game in 2023, was honored with the Best Evolving Game award. This is a remarkable feat, especially considering the competition from heavyweights like Diablo IV and Final Fantasy XIV Online.
What, no mobile? The BAFTA Games Awards adopt a unique approach by not recognizing platform-specific achievements. This stance led to the removal of the mobile-specific category in 2019. Despite this, games like Vampire Survivors and Genshin Impact, which have strong mobile presences, continue to win accolades.
In a past conversation, Luke Hebblethwaite from the BAFTAs game team explained that the organization believes games should compete on equal footing, regardless of the platform. This philosophy is evident in their award structure. While some may argue for the return of mobile-specific categories, it's clear that games like Balatro and Vampire Survivors have benefited from their mobile reach, which can be seen as a form of recognition.
These are just my thoughts on the matter. If you're interested in delving deeper into mobile gaming discussions, tune into the latest episode of the Pocket Gamer Podcast, where Will and I explore these topics and more.
