Home News BAFTA's Bold Decision: DLC-Free GotY Contenders

BAFTA's Bold Decision: DLC-Free GotY Contenders

by Eric Jan 19,2025

BAFTA 2025 Game Awards Longlist Announced

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

58 Games Vie for BAFTA Honors

BAFTA's 2025 Games Awards longlist features 58 exceptional games across 17 categories, selected from a total of 247 titles submitted by BAFTA members. These games were 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.

Best Game Contenders Revealed

The highly anticipated "Best Game" category boasts a diverse selection of 10 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 Baldur's Gate 3's six-award sweep at the 2024 BAFTAs, this year's contenders promise a similarly exciting competition.

Notable Exclusions from "Best Game"

While many prominent 2024 releases are included in the overall longlist, some notable absences from the "Best Game" category include 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, and DLCs from the main "Best Game" and "British Game" awards, although they may be considered for other categories.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Silent Hill 2 remain in contention for awards such as Best Music, Best Narrative, and Best Technical Achievement. Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is absent from the BAFTA list but is expected to feature in other year-end awards.

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

BAFTA Eligibility Rules Clarified

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