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Game Beyond Entertainment: New Category for BAFTA's Games Awards 2018

19 October 2017
British Academy Games Awards Logo

‘GAME BEYOND ENTERTAINMENT’ category introduced to recognise games that deliver a transformational experience beyond pure entertainment

BAFTA has announced that it will introduce a new Game Beyond Entertainment category for the British Academy Games Awards in 2018.

Read our feature explaining more about the new category >

The new category will recognise the best game that capitalises on the unique and maturing medium of games to deliver a transformational experience beyond pure entertainment -- whether that is to raise awareness through empathy and emotional impact, to engage with real world problems, or to make the world a better place.  Entries in this new category will be judged solely on content - its emotional impact, thematic fit and innovative use of the medium to explore and deliver impactful messages.

BAFTA reviews its Awards each year, to ensure that they remain relevant and reflect the ever-evolving landscape of the industry as a whole. The British Academy Games Awards rewards excellence in gaming and encompasses every element of games, highlighting the accomplishments of the games industry over the previous 12 months.

Any game released in the UK is eligible to enter multiple categories within the Awards, a full list of which can be found on the BAFTA website.

For the new Game Beyond Entertainment category, entrants will be required to supply a short supporting statement (max. 4000 characters) clearly identifying the game’s agenda and demonstrate how this was realised in the game. 

If you are unsure whether your title is eligible, please contact [email protected].  The final decision rests with BAFTA. This category goes straight to a jury, and is not considered by the membership vote.

For further information, please contact:

Chris Glover
T +44 (0) 7799 775640
E [email protected]

Eleanor Pickering at BAFTA
T +44 (0) 20 7734 0022
E [email protected]

About BAFTA

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – which includes workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes in the UK, USA and Asia – BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, discovers, inspires and nurtures new talent, and enables learning and creative collaboration. For advice and inspiration from the best creative minds in working in film, games and television, visit www.bafta.org/guru. For more, visit www.bafta.org.