Hello. Good evening everyone, I’m Tara Saunders, Chair of the BAFTA Games Committee, and I’m delighted to welcome you to the 21st BAFTA Games Awards.
Tonight is a celebration of the incredible talent, creativity, and innovation behind the games we’ve loved this year.
We can all see it’s been another fantastic year with a rich variety in this year’s nominations.
But before we begin celebrating, I want to acknowledge the challenges many in our industry continue to face. It’s tough out there—economic instability, a shifting market, job insecurity, and questions about the future of the craft weigh heavily on so many. These aren’t abstract issues—they affect real people. On behalf of BAFTA, we stand with you.
We’re also at a turning point in the history of games. Disruptive technologies are reshaping what’s possible. While these innovations bring opportunities, they also raise many questions. But one thing remains true – games, at their heart, are made by people. Talented, passionate people who tell stories, who create worlds that connect and inspire us, and allow us to explore imagination, identity, and emotion.
Our resilience, creativity, and community will carry us forward as it has throughout our industry’s history.
Reflecting upon that history coming into tonight’s celebration I am struck by what an important part of mainstream media Games are in 2025. We may not always feel this way, but this is a fact. Everyone in this room has played their part in where games are today, and have an important voice in where they go next.
I’d like to encourage you all to use your voice and keep pushing—smarter, bolder, more fearlessly. Let’s create games that challenge minds, uplift voices, and help move the world forward. The future is interactive—and we’re the ones building it.
At BAFTA we believe in the power of storytelling, which connects all our creative arts…film, television and games. We’re really proud to champion the art and storytelling of games, and their place in our culture. Tonight’s awards are just one example of what we do year-round: our Young Game Designers programme, now in its 15th year, continues to give a platform for talented young people to explore their passion for games. We also offer financial support for people studying games, bursaries to help junior creatives with the costs of progressing their careers. And of course Breakthrough, our flagship talent programme supported by Netflix that accelerates the careers of the next generation of games, film and TV talent.
But tonight, it’s all about celebrating games. We’re here to honour the very best of storytelling, the craft of making games, as voted by our peers in the BAFTA Games community. Let’s celebrate you…the people behind the games we play—and recognise how games continue to shape our world. Here’s to the power of play, the spirit of collaboration, and the future ahead.
I want to say thank you to Jane Millichip, BAFTA’s CEO, and the whole BAFTA team. To Sara Putt, our wonderful and encouraging BAFTA Chair, who was so disappointed not to be here and give this speech herself, I’m sending you healing hugs as you recover from your operation at home Sara. And to all of the Games Committee who support me and volunteer their time and expertise to BAFTA.
Thanks to all our partners, including our official games partners EE, Epic Games and PlayStation.
We’re proud to partner again this year with the London Games Festival—celebrating its 10th year. Like BAFTA, the Games Festival celebrates the craft, innovation and talent that makes our industry so pioneering.
It just leaves me to say a huge congratulations to all the nominees and winners tonight. Thank you for showcasing the breadth and excellence of our industry’s work.
On behalf of everyone at BAFTA, have a wonderful evening and enjoy the show.
