The BAFTA Games Awards concluded last night, celebrating the best in gaming with notable wins for Balatro and Vampire Survivors. Yet, the absence of platform-specific categories raises questions about visibility for mobile games.
While the BAFTAs may not match the mainstream appeal of Geoff Keighley's Game Awards, they arguably surpass them in prestige. The 2024 BAFTA Games Awards did not feature specific mobile categories, but two mobile-influenced titles shone brightly. Balatro, the breakout roguelike deckbuilder from Localthunk, clinched the Debut Game award. This victory has sparked a frenzy among publishers, eager to unearth the next indie sensation. On the other hand, Vampire Survivors, which previously won Best Game in 2023, was honored with Best Evolving Game, triumphing over formidable contenders like Diablo IV and Final Fantasy XIV Online.
What, no mobile? The BAFTA Games Awards have taken a unique stance by eliminating platform-specific awards since 2019. Despite standout performances from mobile and multiplatform hits like Vampire Survivors and Genshin Impact, the format has remained unchanged. In a past discussion, Luke Hebblethwaite, part of the BAFTAs game team, shared that the organization believes games should compete equally, regardless of platform.
It's undeniable that mobile platforms have significantly boosted the reach of games like Balatro and Vampire Survivors. This broader accessibility can be seen as a form of recognition in itself. However, the lack of mobile-specific categories might still impact the visibility of mobile gaming achievements.
That's just my perspective. For a deeper dive into mobile gaming and more, tune into the latest episode of the Pocket Gamer Podcast, where Will and I explore the latest in the industry.
