The BAFTA Games Awards concluded last night, celebrating the industry's finest with Balatro and Vampire Survivors emerging as top winners. However, the absence of platform-specific categories raises questions about visibility, particularly for mobile games.

While the BAFTAs may not boast the same global reach as Geoff Keighley's Game Awards, they arguably surpass it in prestige, if not in glamor. Despite the lack of specific mobile categories in the 2024 BAFTA Games Awards, two notable mobile titles shone brightly. Balatro, a roguelike deckbuilder from Localthunk, clinched the Debut Game award, sparking industry buzz and prompting publishers to scour indie projects for the next big hit. Meanwhile, Vampire Survivors, which won Best Game in 2023, was honored with the Best Evolving Game award, impressively outshining competitors like Diablo IV and Final Fantasy XIV Online.

The Absence of Mobile Categories

The BAFTA Games Awards have taken a unique stance by eliminating platform-specific accolades since 2019. This decision was based on the belief that games should be judged on their merits, regardless of the platform they're released on. Luke Hebblethwaite, a member of the BAFTAs game team, once shared with me that the organization felt platform-specific categories were at odds with their view that games should stand toe-to-toe, no matter the platform.

Despite this, the success of mobile and multiplatform titles like Vampire Survivors and Genshin Impact at the BAFTAs suggests that mobile games can still achieve significant recognition. The widespread reach of mobile platforms has undoubtedly contributed to the success of Balatro and Vampire Survivors, offering some solace to mobile gaming enthusiasts.

These are just my thoughts on the matter. If you're interested in diving deeper into mobile gaming discussions, don't miss the latest episode of the Pocket Gamer Podcast, where Will and I team up to explore the latest in mobile gaming and beyond.