Vampire Survivors, Balatro Shine at BAFTA Games Awards

The BAFTA Games Awards concluded last night, celebrating excellence in the gaming industry. Among the top winners were Balatro and Vampire Survivors, showcasing the impact of mobile gaming even in the absence of platform-specific categories. While the awards may not boast the massive reach of Geoff Keighley's Game Awards, they arguably hold greater prestige, if not the same level of glitz and glamour.

Balatro, a standout roguelike deckbuilder from Localthunk, clinched the Debut Game award. This victory has sparked a buzz in the industry, with many publishers now scouring the indie scene for the next potential blockbuster. On the other hand, Vampire Survivors, which previously won Best Game in 2023, was honored with the Best Evolving Game award. This is a significant achievement, as it competed against formidable titles like Diablo IV and Final Fantasy XIV Online.

What, no mobile? The BAFTA Games Awards take a unique approach by not including platform-specific categories. This decision was made in 2019, and despite notable successes from mobile and multiplatform games like Vampire Survivors and Genshin Impact, the format has remained unchanged. Luke Hebblethwaite, a member of the BAFTAs game team, once explained that the organization believes games should be judged on their merits regardless of platform.

While some might argue that the lack of mobile categories diminishes visibility, the success of games like Balatro and Vampire Survivors on mobile platforms suggests otherwise. These games have benefited significantly from their mobile reach, offering a form of recognition that transcends traditional categories.

These are just my thoughts, but if you're interested in diving deeper into mobile gaming discussions, consider tuning into the latest episode of the Pocket Gamer Podcast, where Will and I explore all things mobile gaming and beyond.