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

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has unveiled its extensive longlist for the 2025 BAFTA Games Awards. Discover if your favorite game made the cut!

58 Games from a Field of 247

BAFTA's 2025 longlist features 58 exceptional games across 17 categories, selected from 247 titles submitted by BAFTA members. These games were released between November 25, 2023, and November 15, 2024.

Final nominations will be announced on March 4, 2025, with the awards ceremony taking place on April 8, 2025.

The coveted "Best Game" award contenders include these ten 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 six-award sweep in 2024 (from ten nominations), this year's competition promises to be equally fierce.

While some notable titles didn't make the "Best Game" shortlist, they remain eligible for other awards:

• 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
• Performer in a Supporting Role

Notable Exclusions from "Best Game": Remakes, Remasters, and DLC

Several high-profile 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, full remakes, and substantial new content from the "Best Game" and "British Game" categories. However, these titles may still compete in other categories recognizing craft and originality.

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

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