BAFTA Makes the Bold Move of Not Including DLC For Its GotY Nominees

BAFTA Unveils 2025 Games Awards Longlist

58 Games from 247 Contenders

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced its longlist for the 2025 BAFTA Games Awards. A remarkable 58 games, spanning diverse genres, are in the running across 17 categories. This impressive selection was chosen from a pool of 247 games released between November 25, 2023, and November 15, 2024.

The final nominees will be revealed on March 4, 2025, with the awards ceremony taking place on April 8, 2025.

Best Game Contenders:

The highly anticipated Best Game award will be contested by these ten exceptional 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 triumphant six-award win from ten nominations in 2024, anticipation is high for this year's victor.

While some games didn't make the Best Game cut, they remain contenders in other categories: Animation, Artistic Achievement, Audio Achievement, British Game, Debut Game, Evolving Game, Family, Game Beyond Entertainment, Game Design, Multiplayer, Music, Narrative, New Intellectual Property, Technical Achievement, Performer in a Leading Role, and Performer in a Supporting Role.

Notable Exclusions from Best Game:

Several prominent 2024 releases, including Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, and Silent Hill 2, are absent from the Best Game category. This is due to BAFTA's eligibility rules, which exclude remasters released outside the eligibility period, and deem full remakes and substantial DLC ineligible for Best Game or British Game, though they may be considered in other categories.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Silent Hill 2 are still in contention for awards such as Music, Narrative, and Technical Achievement. Surprisingly, Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is not included in the BAFTA longlist, though its appearance at other year-end awards is anticipated.

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