Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has emerged as the frontrunner in the 2026 BAFTA Games Awards nominations, securing a remarkable 12 nods. Close behind is Dispatch, with nine nominations, followed by Ghost of Yōtei with eight, and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach appearing in seven categories. The full list of nominees, revealed after a voting process by over 1,700 industry professionals, encompasses 42 distinct games across 17 different award categories. The winners will be announced on April 17th.
GAMING INDUSTRY'S BEST ON DISPLAY
The nominations paint a broad picture of the year's significant interactive works, with titles vying for recognition in categories ranging from "Best Game" and "Artistic Achievement" to "Technical Achievement" and performance-based awards.
MAJOR CATEGORIES AND CONTENDERS
Key nominations include:
Best Game: This prestigious award sees competition from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Dispatch, Ghost of Yōtei, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, among others.
Artistic Achievement: Here, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach are again prominent, alongside Ghost of Yōtei, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and South of Midnight.
Audio Achievement: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and Ghost of Yōtei are recognized, as are Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and ARC Raiders.
Performer in a Leading Role: The talent behind various characters is celebrated, with nods for Aaron Paul (Dispatch), Ben Starr (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33), Erika Ishii (Ghost of Yōtei), Jennifer English (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33), Tom McKay (Kingdom Come: Deliverance II), and Troy Baker (Indiana Jones and the Great Circle).
Performer in a Supporting Role: Nominees include Alix Wilton Regan (Lies of P: Overture), Charlie Cox (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33), Jane Perry (Dead Take), Jeffrey Wright (Dispatch), Kirsty Rider (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33), and Troy Baker (Death Stranding 2: On the Beach).
Technical Achievement: This category highlights innovation with nominations for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, DOOM: The Dark Ages, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and ARC Raiders.
NEW INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND BRITISH TALENT
The "New Intellectual Property" category showcases fresh concepts, featuring Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Dispatch, South of Midnight, and ARC Raiders. The "Best British Game" award recognizes domestic contributions, with contenders like Atomfall, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, Mafia: The Old Country, Monument Valley 3, PowerWash Simulator 2, and Two Point Museum.
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A YEAR OF DIVERSE CONTRIBUTIONS
The extensive list of nominations underscores the breadth of creativity and technical prowess within the global games industry this year. Tara Saunders, chair of BAFTA's Games Committee, stated that the nominations "recognise 42 outstanding games that highlight the very best of the global games industry." The event is scheduled to take place at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre in London, and will be broadcast live on YouTube.
BACKGROUND TO THE AWARDS
The BAFTA Games Awards, an annual event organized by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, celebrates excellence in video game development. The nomination process involves a considerable voting body of BAFTA members from across the games industry. A longlist of eligible titles was initially compiled before the final nominations were selected. This year's event marks the 22nd iteration of the awards.
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