BAFTA Revolutionizes Awards Eligibility with DLC Exclusion

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

58 Games from 247 Submissions

BAFTA's 2025 Games Awards longlist comprises 58 exceptional games spanning various genres, competing across 17 categories. This selection emerged from a comprehensive review of 247 games submitted by BAFTA members, all released 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 contenders are:

• 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 didn't make the "Best Game" shortlist, 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, and Performer in a Supporting Role.

Notable Exclusions from "Best Game"

Several high-profile 2024 releases, while included in the overall longlist, are absent from the "Best Game" category. This includes 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 period, and DLC from the "Best Game" and "British Game" categories. However, such titles may still compete in other categories recognizing craft and originality.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Silent Hill 2 are still in contention for awards like Music, Narrative, and Technical Achievement. Interestingly, Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is not featured in the BAFTA nominations, though its appearance in other year-end awards is anticipated.

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