The BAFTA Games Awards concluded last night, shining a spotlight on some of the most innovative titles in the industry. Among the top winners were Balatro and Vampire Survivors, both of which have made significant impacts on the mobile gaming scene. However, the absence of platform-specific categories raises questions about the visibility of mobile games at such prestigious events.
While the BAFTA Games Awards may not boast the extensive reach of Geoff Keighley's Game Awards, they arguably surpass it in prestige, if not in spectacle. Despite the lack of a specific mobile category since 2019, the 2024 awards still recognized notable mobile and multiplatform releases. Balatro, a standout roguelike deckbuilder from Localthunk, clinched the Debut Game award. This success has sparked a frenzy among publishers, all eager to unearth the next indie sensation.
Vampire Survivors, which was crowned Best Game in 2023, continued its winning streak by securing the Best Evolving Game award. This achievement is particularly impressive given the stiff competition from titles like Diablo IV and Final Fantasy XIV Online.
What, no mobile? The BAFTA Games Awards take a unique stance by not featuring platform-specific accolades. This decision was highlighted when the mobile-specific category was eliminated in 2019. Despite this, games like Vampire Survivors and Genshin Impact have still managed to garner significant attention and accolades.
In a past discussion, Luke Hebblethwaite from the BAFTA games team shared that the organization believes games should be evaluated on their merits regardless of the platform they are released on. This perspective suggests that games stand on equal footing, whether on mobile or other platforms.
It's undeniable that Balatro and Vampire Survivors have greatly benefited from their availability on mobile, reaching a broader audience and gaining recognition that might otherwise have been limited. While the lack of a mobile category might seem like a missed opportunity for specific recognition, the success of these games on the mobile platform can be seen as a form of acknowledgment in itself.
Of course, these are just my thoughts on the matter. If you're interested in diving deeper into the world of mobile gaming and more, don't miss the latest episode of the Pocket Gamer Podcast, where Will and I team up to explore the latest trends and discussions in the industry.
