The BAFTA Games Awards concluded last night, and while they might not boast the widespread audience of Geoff Keighley's Game Awards, they arguably surpass them in terms of prestige, if not in glitz and glamour. Notably, the 2024 awards did not feature specific mobile categories, yet two standout mobile games managed to secure significant victories.
Balatro, a roguelike deckbuilder from Localthunk, clinched the Debut Game award. This win has sparked a buzz within the industry, with many publishers now scouring the indie scene in hopes of discovering the next big hit. On the other hand, Vampire Survivors, which was crowned Best Game in 2023, took home the Best Evolving Game award this year. This accolade is especially impressive, given the competition from heavyweights like Diablo IV and Final Fantasy XIV Online.
What, no mobile? The BAFTA Games Awards have adopted a unique approach by not including platform-specific awards. This decision was made back in 2019, and despite the success of mobile and multiplatform hits like Vampire Survivors and Genshin Impact, the format has remained unchanged.
In a previous discussion, Luke Hebblethwaite from the BAFTAs game team shared that the organization believes games should be judged on their merit, regardless of the platform they're released on. This perspective suggests that games like Balatro and Vampire Survivors, which have benefited from their mobile presence, still receive the recognition they deserve within the broader gaming community.
While the lack of mobile-specific categories might raise questions about visibility, the achievements of these games at the BAFTAs highlight their impact across all platforms. For a deeper dive into the world of mobile gaming, consider tuning into the latest episode of the Pocket Gamer Podcast, where I discuss these topics and more with Will.
