BAFTA Announces GOTY Nominees, Excluding DLC for Enhanced Rankings

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has unveiled its extensive longlist for the 2025 BAFTA Games Awards. Discover if your favorite title made the cut!

A Competitive Field: 58 Games from 247 Entries

BAFTA's 2025 Games Awards longlist features 58 games across 17 categories, selected from a total of 247 submissions. These games, released between November 25, 2023, and November 15, 2024, represent a diverse range of genres. The final nominations will be announced on March 4, 2025, with the awards ceremony taking place on April 8, 2025.

The coveted "Best Game" award will be contested by these ten contenders:

• ANIMAL WELL
• Astro Bot
• Balatro
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• Helldivers 2
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
• Metaphor: ReFantazio
• Thank Goodness You’re Here!
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Following Baldur's Gate 3's six-award sweep at the 2024 BAFTAs, this year's competition promises to be equally fierce.

While some titles didn't make the "Best Game" shortlist, they remain eligible for other awards, including: Animation, Artistic Achievement, Audio Achievement, British Game, Debut Game, Evolving Game, Family, Game Beyond Entertainment, Game Design, Multiplayer, Music, Narrative, New Intellectual Property, Technical Achievement, Performer in a Leading Role, and Performer in a Supporting Role.

Notable Exclusions from the "Best Game" Category

Several high-profile 2024 releases are absent from the "Best Game" category, including Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, and Silent Hill 2. This is due to BAFTA's eligibility rules, which exclude remasters, remakes released outside the eligibility window, and DLC. While these titles are not competing for "Best Game" or "British Game," they remain in contention for other awards, showcasing their achievements in areas like music, narrative, and technical prowess. The absence of Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree is particularly noteworthy. While the reasoning isn't explicitly stated, its appearance at other year-end awards is anticipated.

The complete BAFTA Games Awards longlist is available on the official BAFTA website.