BAFTA Makes the Bold Move of Not Including DLC For Its GotY Nominees

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

58 Games from 247 Entries

BAFTA's 2025 longlist features 58 exceptional games spanning diverse genres, vying for nominations across 17 categories. This selection emerged from a comprehensive review of 247 titles submitted by BAFTA members, encompassing releases between November 25, 2023, and November 15, 2024.

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 boasts a compelling shortlist of ten titles:

• 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 triumphant six-award win in 2024 (from ten nominations), this year's competition promises to be equally fierce.

While some notable titles missed the "Best Game" category, they remain contenders in other categories:

• 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
• Performer in a Supporting Role

Notable Exclusions from "Best Game"

Several high-profile 2024 releases, including Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, and Silent Hill 2, are absent from the "Best Game" category. This is in accordance with BAFTA's rules, which exclude remasters, remakes, and DLCs released outside the eligibility period from the main award, though they may be eligible for other categories.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Silent Hill 2 are still in contention for awards such as Music, Narrative, and Technical Achievement. Interestingly, Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is entirely absent from the BAFTA list, though its appearance in other year-end awards is anticipated.

The complete BAFTA Games Awards longlist and category details are available on the official BAFTA website.