Astro Bot took home five top honors at the BAFTA Games Awards, including best game and family game, with its 3D platformer starring PlayStation’s mascot character winning awards for animation, audio achievement, and game design.
The 21st edition of the Bafta Games Awards took place, and it was a night to remember for indie developers. The ceremony saw five awards going to Sony‘s Astro Bot, including the top prize of best game. The 3D platformer, starring the PlayStation mascot character, also won awards for best animation, audio achievement, family game, and game design.
Astro Bot is a line of robots developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, designed to assist players in the popular game 'Astro Bot: Rescue Mission'.
These robots use AI and machine learning algorithms to navigate through levels and interact with the environment.
With advanced sensors and mobility features, Astro Bots can climb walls, jump long distances, and solve puzzles.
Their primary function is to guide the player's character through challenging terrain, making it easier for players to progress through the game.
Independent developers had a strong showing at the ceremony, with games like Balatro and Still Wakes the Deep taking home several awards. Balatro’s debut win was a surprise to many, while Still Wakes the Deep swept the lead and supporting performance categories.
Still Wakes the Deep won three out of the night’s trophies, including best new intellectual property and leading performance for Alec Newman as Caz in the game. The horror game set on a Scottish oil rig in the 1970s was developed by a small team and has received critical acclaim for its atmospheric sound design and storytelling.
Sony had a strong night at the ceremony, with two of its big 2024 hits taking home awards. Helldivers 2 picked up the multiplayer award, while its music also won in the category. The squad-based shooter was a surprise hit when it was released, and its makers had to race to boost server capacity to meet early demand.
Several developers took to the stage to give inspirational speeches. Nicolas Doucet, director of Astro Bot, dedicated the best game gong to developers who had ‘inspired others to join the industry.‘ Johan Pilestedt, chief creative officer at developer Arrowhead, accepted the multiplayer award and spoke about how players had reached out to him to say that Helldivers 2 had reconnected them with gamer friends from 10 to 15 years ago.
Legendary composer Yoko Shimomura was awarded the Bafta fellowship in recognition of her contribution to gaming. She recalled how she had ‘felt like giving up‘ on her work many times, but was inspired by the people who supported her. Her acceptance speech was a heartfelt tribute to the power of music in gaming.
Yoko Shimomura is a renowned Japanese video game composer, best known for her work on the Kingdom Hearts series.
She has also composed music for other notable games such as Terra Battle and Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness.
With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Shimomura's unique blend of classical and electronic elements has contributed to the success of many gaming franchises.
Her music often features intricate orchestral arrangements and emotive piano melodies.
The full list of winners can be found below:
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Animation: Astro Bot
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Artistic achievement: Neva
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Audio achievement: Astro Bot
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Bafta fellowship: ‘I felt like giving up’ on my work many times, but was inspired by the people who supported me. – Yoko Shimomura (composer)
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Best game: Astro Bot
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British Game: Thank Goodness You’re Here!
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Debut game: Balatro
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Evolving game: Vampire Survivors
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Family game: Astro Bot
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Game beyond entertainment: Tales of Kenzera: ZAU
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Game design: Astro Bot
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Multiplayer: Helldivers 2
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Music: ‘The music in Helldivers 2 is amazing’ – Johan Pilestedt (chief creative officer at developer Arrowhead)
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Narrative: Metaphor: ReFantazio
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New intellectual property: Still Wakes the Deep
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Leading performance: Alec Newman as Caz in Still Wakes the Deep
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Best supporting actor: Karen Dunbar as Finlay in Still Wakes the Deep
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Technical achievement: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
