This year’s VG BAFTAs (which this is the first year I’ve noticed they’re BAVGAs) was once again hosted by the ever funny and avid gamer Dara O’Brian. He warmed up the night making quips about the magical healing properties of hiding behind a wall, suggesting the inclusion of a zombie mode to FIFA, and questioning the lack of Irish voice-acting, specifically himself, in games. The awards quickly moved on after a brief message for aid to those affected by the Japan quakes.
Winners in bold.
Action Game
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
BioShock 2
Call of Duty: Black Ops
God of War III
Halo: Reach
Family Game
Dance Central
Kinect Adventures
Kinect Sports
Kinectimals
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
Toy Story 3
Technical Innovation
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Halo: Reach
Heavy Rain
Kinectimals
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Social Network Game
Bejeweled Blitz
Farmerama
FIFA Superstars
My Empire
Zoo Mumba
Zuma Blitz
Use of Audio
Alan Wake
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
Battlefield: Bad Company: 2
Call of Duty: Black Ops
DJ Hero 2
LIMBO
Handheld
Cut the Rope
God of War: Ghost of Sparta
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
Professor Layton and the Lost Future
Sonic Colours
Super Scribblenauts
GAME Award of 2010
(public vote)
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Dance Central
FIFA 11
Halo Reach
Heavy Rain
Limbo
Mass Effect 2
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
Red Dead Redemption
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Original Music
Alan Wake
Fable III
Heavy Rain
James Bond 007: Bloodstone
Mass Effect 2
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Strategy
Civilization V
Fallout: New Vegas <- what on earth?
FIFA Manager 11
Napoleon Total War
Plants vs. Zombies XBLA
Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty
Artistic Achievement
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
Call of Duty: Black Ops
God of War III
Heavy Rain
LIMBO
Mass Effect 2
BAFTA Ones To Watch Award in association with Dare to Be Digital
Mush
Sculpty
Twang!
Gameplay
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
God of War III
Heavy Rain
LIMBO
Mass Effect 2
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Sports
F1 2010
FIFA 11
Football Manager 2011
Gran Turismo 5
International Cricket 2010
Pro Evolution Soccer 2011
Qatar World Cup 2022
Multiplayer
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Halo: Reach
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty
Story
Alan Wake
BioShock 2
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Fallout: New Vegas
Heavy Rain
Mass Effect 2
Best Game
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
FIFA 11
Heavy Rain
LIMBO
Mass Effect 2
Super Mario Galaxy 2
The BAFTA Fellowship goes to Peter Molyneux of Lionhead Games and creator of the Fable series. Ben Kingsley, who played Sabine in Fable 3, presented the award, running off Molyneux’s achievements and creations in his pretty long game career, remarking on Molyneux’s auteur-like drive. Molyneux accepted the award, fighting tears during his speech, reflecting on his rise from a small Guildford studio and on to Lionhead. He apologised to the press and publishers for over promising, remarking he’d make up game features on the fly to make sure journalists were paying attention. He said that it was great that two guys could go on to become huge studios with the AAA games alongside the smaller games like Limbo and Minecraft.
I felt the selection was maybe a bit limited, but this may be due to the way BAFTA nominations work (they need to submit themself). I found Limbo’s repeated appearance even more curious, possibly acting as an indie poster child. But I think it may be best for next year’s award to run a Downloadable Games category, similar to how Social Network Game was added this year. The industry moves quickly and the awards ceremonies should maybe reflect that.
And because I found what was shown of Twang! to be quite fun, I’m sharing it with you guys too. If I can find some information on where to get this game, I’ll add it.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiIsRIJbmkc]
Update: Added the link to download Twang! and other Dare to be Digital games
Watch the VG BAFTAs @ Bafta.org
Play Twang! (Registration required)
