Vampire Survivors and Balatro Shine at BAFTA Games Awards

The BAFTA Games Awards concluded last night, celebrating the best in gaming with notable wins for Balatro and Vampire Survivors. However, the absence of platform-specific categories, including mobile, raises questions about visibility for games on different platforms.

While the BAFTAs may not have the widespread reach of Geoff Keighley's Game Awards, they arguably surpass it in prestige, if not in spectacle. The 2024 BAFTA Games Awards did not feature specific mobile categories, yet two significant mobile titles made their mark. Balatro, a roguelike deckbuilder, clinched the Debut Game award, sparking industry buzz and a rush among publishers to find the next big indie hit. Meanwhile, Vampire Survivors, which won Best Game in 2023, was honored with the Best Evolving Game award, impressively competing against heavyweights like Diablo IV and Final Fantasy XIV Online.

What, no mobile? The BAFTA Games Awards take a unique approach by not recognizing platform-specific achievements, a decision made since 2019. Despite the success of mobile and multiplatform titles like Vampire Survivors and Genshin Impact, the awards structure has remained unchanged. Luke Hebblethwaite, a member of the BAFTAs game team, once shared that the organization believes games should be judged on their merits, regardless of the platform they're released on.

It's undeniable that Balatro and Vampire Survivors have benefited from their mobile reach, suggesting that even without dedicated categories, mobile games can still achieve significant recognition. This perspective offers some solace to mobile gaming enthusiasts.

That's just my take on it. If you're interested in diving deeper into mobile gaming discussions, don't miss the latest episode of the Pocket Gamer Podcast, where Will and I explore the latest trends and insights in the mobile gaming world.