The British Academy of Film and Television Arts will be including four new categories in the upcoming GAME British Academy Video Games Awards presented in 2012: Debut Game, Online – Browser, Online – Multiplayer and Performer.
Debut Game will reward the best game from a new development studio that releases its very first title in 2011, in order to encourage and reward the work of new studios.
The organisation say the continuing advances in online gaming and the different ways in which consumers now access games means that it is important for BAFTA to recognise them with separate ‘Online’ categories:
- Online – Browser will be awarded for the best online experience and include social, casual and browser games;
- Online – Multiplayer will be awarded to the best online multiplayer games experience.
Performer will recognise excellence in performance featured in a game. This could include a range of performing arts, from voice artistry to motion capture.
Ray Maguire, Chairman of BAFTA’s Video Games Committee, said: “BAFTA annually reviews its Awards categories to ensure they remain relevant and valued within the industry. Over the last year, we have witnessed the increased sophistication and popularity of online gaming, and so our two new Online categories will ensure the scope of creative work in this area is being properly recognised.
“We are equally delighted to begin recognising the performance aspect within games, as we do for film and television, which further demonstrates the common ground between the industries. Debut Game is another important addition this year, which reflects the changing game-development landscape and the rise of new, independent studios.”
