The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has unveiled the nominations for the 2023 BAFTA Games Awards, highlighting a year of strong creative competition across the industry. God of War: Ragnarok led the field with nominations across 14 categories, underscoring its broad appeal and technical ambition. Stray followed closely with nine nominations, while Elden Ring secured eight. The spread signals a diverse landscape where drama, innovation, and storytelling converge in contemporary gaming.
Best Game:
The contenders for Best Game reflect a blend of narrative depth, design excellence, and player immersion. Each title demonstrates how developers balance ambition with accessible play and meaningful player choice. The jury evaluates not only visuals and mechanics but also the emotional impact and replay value that resonate with players across North America and beyond.
Best British Game:
British studios frequently push boundaries, and this year’s nominees emphasize local talent contributing to global conversations about what interactive entertainment can achieve. The category showcases craftsmanship, innovation, and a distinctive voice that has grown from the UK game development scene and influenced international standards.
Best game according to gamers:
Fan-driven recognition highlights titles that connect with players on a personal level. This award captures titles that inspire long sessions, robust community discussion, and lasting affection among diverse gaming communities in North America and Canada.
Best Debut Game:
New studios and fresh concepts shine in this category. Debut projects reveal bold ideas, confident design decisions, and the potential to shape future trends in gameplay, storytelling, and interactive innovation.
Best Family Game:
Family-friendly titles balance accessibility with enjoyable challenges, making shared experiences possible across generations. The nominees demonstrate how games can be inclusive, socially engaging, and capable of sparking memorable moments at home or in classrooms.
Best New Franchise Game:
New franchises carry expectations of fresh worlds, unique mechanics, and evolving lore. This category honors titles that establish a strong, recognizable identity while inviting players to embark on ongoing adventures with expanding universes.
Best Updated Game:
Updates that reimagine or refine a game can redefine the player experience. This award recognizes developers who extend a title’s lifespan with meaningful content, balance improvements, and feature-rich enhancements that keep communities engaged.
Best Multiplayer:
Multiplayer excellence hinges on reliable performance, engaging social systems, and competitive or cooperative experiences that endure. The nominees deliver memorable online moments, fair matchmaking, and vibrant, respectful communities.
Best Game Design:
Game design excellence involves inventive mechanics, thoughtful pacing, and intuitive player flows. This category celebrates creators who craft experiences that feel both innovative and accessible, guiding players naturally through rich worlds.
Best Storytelling:
Compelling storytelling in games blends dialogue, cutscenes, and player agency into a cohesive narrative arc. The nominees demonstrate how interactive media can evoke emotion, convey complex themes, and leave players reflecting on their journeys long after the credits roll.
The best music:
Music in games sets mood, reinforces themes, and heightens tension. The nominees showcase compositions that adapt to gameplay, deepen atmosphere, and become memorable parts of the player’s overall experience.
Best Animation:
Animation quality frames the action and emotion of each scene. The selected titles display fluid character movement, expressive performances, and cinematic pacing that elevate both cutscenes and gameplay moments.
Artistic Achievement Award:
This honor recognizes distinctive visual style and creative bravura. Nominees push stylistic boundaries, crafting worlds and characters that linger in memory for their originality and artistry.
Sound Achievement Awards:
Sound design, voice acting, and ambient environments shape immersion. The nominated works demonstrate how audio can independently carry mood, realism, and dramatic nuance within the game world.
Price for technical achievement:
Technical achievement celebrates engineering feats behind performance, scalability, and the seamless running of ambitious ideas. The winners here reflect teams that solve complex problems with elegance and reliability.
Best Beyond Entertainment Game:
Titles that transcend traditional entertainment emphasize meaningful play, educational value, or social impact. This category recognizes games that invite players to reflect, learn, or connect across diverse audiences.
Best Leading Actor:
- Alain Mesa as Alejandro Vargas in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
- Charlotte McBurney as Amicia in A Plague Tale: Requiem
- Christopher Judge as Kratos in God of War: Ragnarok
- Manon Gage as Marissa Marcel in Immortality
- Siobhan Williams as Laura in The Quarry
- Sunny Suljic as Atreus in God of War: Ragnarok
The ceremony date for the BAFTA Games Awards is March 30, with industry professionals gathering to celebrate the year’s creative and technical achievements. This event stands as a benchmark for excellence, drawing nominations that reflect innovation, compelling storytelling, and the enduring appeal of interactive entertainment across North America.
Best Supporting Actor:
- Adam Harrington as Sindri in God of War: Ragnarok
- Alison Jaye as Alva in Horizon Forbidden West
- Charlotta Mohlin as Perovoy in Immortality
- Danielle Bisutti as Freya in God of War: Ragnarok
- Layla Deleon Hayes as Angrboda in God of War: Ragnarok
- Ryan Hurst as Thor in God of War: Ragnarok
The list of nominees underscores the depth of talent across performances, sound design, and creative direction, confirming that the BAFTA Games Awards remain a pivotal barometer for excellence in interactive media across North America and Canada.
The event has long been a touchstone for recognizing work that pushes the boundaries of what games can be, from technical prowess to emotional resonance. As studios prepare for the March ceremony, players can anticipate a robust conversation about the best experiences of the year and the personalities who helped shape them.