Vampire Survivors, Balatro Shine at BAFTA Games Awards

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, including those for mobile games, raises questions about visibility in this prestigious event.

While the BAFTA Games Awards may not have the widespread reach of Geoff Keighley's Game Awards, they arguably surpass them in prestige, if not in spectacle. Despite the lack of a mobile category since 2019, two major mobile titles shone at the 2024 awards. Balatro, a standout roguelike deckbuilder from Localthunk, clinched the Debut Game award. This victory highlights the buzz around the game, although it also underscores the industry's scramble to find the next big indie hit.

Vampire Survivors, which won Best Game in 2023, was honored with the Best Evolving Game award this year. This achievement is particularly impressive as it went up against heavy hitters like Diablo IV and Final Fantasy XIV Online.

What, no mobile? The BAFTA Games Awards take a unique approach by not recognizing platform-specific achievements. This decision was made to reflect the belief that games should be judged on merit alone, regardless of the platform they're played on. Luke Hebblethwaite, a member of the BAFTAs game team, once shared with me that this stance allows games to stand toe-to-toe, no matter the platform.

Notably, both Balatro and Vampire Survivors have benefited significantly from their availability on mobile platforms, which has undoubtedly contributed to their success and recognition. This might offer some solace to mobile gaming enthusiasts, as it shows that impactful mobile games can still achieve recognition in broader categories.

That's just my take on it. If you're eager for more insights into the world of mobile gaming, don't miss the latest episode of the Pocket Gamer Podcast, where Will and I dive deep into the latest trends and developments.