The BAFTA Games Awards concluded last night, celebrating a diverse array of gaming excellence. Among the top winners were Balatro, which clinched the Debut Game award, and Vampire Survivors, honored with the Best Evolving Game accolade. These titles, which have seen significant success on mobile platforms, highlight the impact of mobile gaming, even in the absence of platform-specific categories.
While the BAFTA Games Awards may not match the widespread audience of Geoff Keighley's Game Awards, they arguably hold greater prestige, albeit with less of the glitz and glamour. The absence of mobile-specific categories since 2019 has sparked debate, but it's clear that games like Balatro and Vampire Survivors have benefited from their mobile presence. Balatro's win as Debut Game underscores the industry's excitement over this roguelike deckbuilder, with many publishers now on the hunt for the next big indie hit. Meanwhile, Vampire Survivors, which previously won Best Game in 2023, triumphed over formidable competitors like Diablo IV and Final Fantasy XIV Online to secure Best Evolving Game.
**What, no mobile?** The BAFTA Games Awards adopt a unique stance by not featuring platform-specific awards. This approach, as explained by Luke Hebblethwaite from the BAFTAs game team, stems from the belief that games should be judged on merit, regardless of the platform they're played on. Despite the removal of the mobile category in 2019, the success of mobile and multiplatform titles like Vampire Survivors and Genshin Impact at the awards demonstrates that mobile games can still achieve significant recognition.
The influence of mobile platforms on the reach and success of games like Balatro and Vampire Survivors cannot be understated. This recognition, though not categorized by platform, is a testament to the growing importance of mobile gaming. If you're interested in diving deeper into the world of mobile gaming, tune into the latest episode of the Pocket Gamer Podcast, where I join Will to discuss the latest trends and insights in mobile gaming and beyond.
