What Is 14th British Academy Games Awards

Overview

The 14th British Academy Games Awards, presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), celebrated the most outstanding achievements in the video game industry during the year 2017. Held on March 15, 2018, the ceremony took place at the Troxy in London, a venue that has hosted several BAFTA events in recent years. This annual event recognizes excellence across a broad range of categories, from artistic innovation to technical mastery, and is considered one of the most prestigious honors in the gaming world.

Since its inception in 2003, the BAFTA Games Awards have evolved to reflect the dynamic nature of the gaming industry. The 14th edition continued this tradition by acknowledging both mainstream blockbusters and indie darlings, highlighting the diversity and creativity within game development. Unlike other awards that may prioritize sales or popularity, BAFTA focuses on merit, judged by a panel of over 600 industry professionals, including developers, critics, and designers, ensuring a balanced and expert-driven selection process.

The significance of the 14th ceremony was amplified by the quality of the nominees and winners, many of which were lauded for pushing creative boundaries. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, developed by Nintendo, dominated the night by winning the coveted Best Game award, while What Remains of Edith Finch took home Game of the Year. These wins underscored a growing appreciation for narrative depth and innovative gameplay, marking a pivotal moment in how games are recognized as both art and entertainment.

How It Works

The BAFTA Games Awards operate through a rigorous, multi-stage voting process that ensures fairness and industry-wide representation. The process begins with an open submission period where publishers and developers can enter eligible games released within the qualifying calendar year—in this case, 2017. Once submissions close, a longlist is created, which is then narrowed down through rounds of voting by BAFTA's membership.

• Eligibility Period: Games must have been released between January 1 and December 31, 2017, to qualify for the 14th awards. This ensured that titles like Super Mario Odyssey and Horizon Zero Dawn were considered.
• Voting Body: Over 600 BAFTA members, all of whom are professionals in the games industry, participated in the voting process, lending credibility and expertise to the results.
• Longlisting: In January 2018, BAFTA announced longlists across 17 categories, with the public and members voting to determine the final nominees.
• Nomination Phase: The top five games in each category advanced to the final ballot, based on a combination of public input and industry voting.
• Final Voting: Members voted again to determine the winners, with results kept confidential until the live ceremony on March 15, 2018.
• New Categories: The 2018 edition introduced the Evolving Game category, recognizing titles that maintain long-term player engagement through regular updates, such as Destiny 2.

Key Details and Comparisons

The comparison above illustrates how the 14th BAFTA Games Awards balanced recognition between technical innovation, artistic expression, and long-term player engagement. While The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild won Best Game for its groundbreaking open-world mechanics and freedom of exploration, What Remains of Edith Finch took Game of the Year for its emotionally resonant storytelling, showing that BAFTA values both gameplay and narrative. The inclusion of Cuphead in the Artistic Achievement category highlighted a resurgence of interest in retro aesthetics, while the new Evolving Game award reflected the industry’s shift toward live-service models. These distinctions demonstrate BAFTA’s commitment to evolving alongside the medium it celebrates.

Real-World Examples

The 14th British Academy Games Awards featured several standout winners that left a lasting impact on the gaming landscape. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild not only won Best Game, but also Technical Achievement and Use of Audio, cementing its status as a landmark title in the franchise’s history. Its open-world design, physics-based puzzles, and minimalist guidance redefined expectations for adventure games, influencing titles released years afterward.

Another notable winner was What Remains of Edith Finch, which earned Game of the Year for its poignant, interactive storytelling. Developed by Giant Sparrow, the game uses a series of vignettes to explore the tragic history of a cursed family, blending narrative with unique gameplay mechanics in each chapter. Its success at BAFTA helped elevate indie narrative games to mainstream recognition.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Won 3 awards, including Best Game
2. What Remains of Edith Finch – Won Game of the Year and Best Story
3. Cuphead – Won Artistic Achievement for its 1930s cartoon style
4. Destiny 2 – First winner of the Evolving Game category

Why It Matters

The 14th British Academy Games Awards were more than just a celebration—they reflected broader shifts in how video games are perceived culturally and artistically. By honoring diverse genres and development scales, from AAA epics to intimate indie experiences, BAFTA reinforced the idea that games are a multifaceted medium capable of profound expression.

• Cultural Recognition: The awards helped legitimize video games as a form of art, comparable to film and literature.
• Industry Influence: Winning a BAFTA can boost a game’s visibility, sales, and developer reputation.
• Diversity and Inclusion: The 2018 ceremony featured a more diverse slate of nominees and winners than previous years.
• Support for Indies: Games like Edith Finch and Cuphead winning major awards signaled growing respect for independent studios.
• Global Reach: While British-organized, the awards recognize international talent, with winners from the U.S., Japan, and beyond.

Ultimately, the 14th British Academy Games Awards served as a benchmark for excellence in 2017’s gaming output. Its emphasis on creativity, storytelling, and innovation continues to inspire developers worldwide. As the industry grows, events like BAFTA play a crucial role in shaping its legacy and guiding its future.