BAFTA Makes the Bold Move of Not Including DLC For Its GotY Nominees

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced its extensive longlist for the 2025 BAFTA Games Awards. Discover if your favorite game made the cut!

58 Games from 247 Entries

BAFTA's 2025 longlist features 58 games across 17 categories, selected from 247 submissions. These games were released between November 25, 2023, and November 15, 2024. The final nominations will be revealed on March 4, 2025, with the awards ceremony taking place on April 8, 2025.

The coveted "Best Game" award will be contested by the following ten titles:

• 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 the success of Baldur's Gate 3 in 2024 (winning six out of ten nominations), this year's contenders aim for similar recognition.

Other categories include: 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 are absent from the "Best Game" category, including 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 released outside the eligibility period, full remakes, and substantial new content from the "Best Game" and "British Game" categories. However, these titles remain eligible for other awards, such as Music, Narrative, and Technical Achievement. The absence of Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is unexplained, though its consideration for other year-end awards is expected.

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