I’m Sara Putt, BAFTA Chair, and I’m delighted to welcome you to the 22nd BAFTA Games Awards.
Tonight’s ceremony showcases the extraordinary talent, creativity and innovation exhibited by the games community. We’re here to highlight the craft behind the games and champion the power of human creativity and storytelling.
Everyone here knows the limitless value of games socially, culturally and economically, so I won’t preach to the choir tonight, however, in my final few months as BAFTA Chair I wanted to share a few brief reflections.
When I became Chair, I admit I knew very little about the world of Games. I am still by no means an expert but with the patient guidance of the wonderful Tara Saunders, Siobhan Reddy and many members of the Games Committee I have come to understand firsthand the power of games, and the joy of immersing yourself in a different world when the one we’re living in can seem very hard to navigate!
Once thing that has stood out for me in getting to know many more BAFTA games members, is the resilience of everyone in this industry in the face of challenging times. This sector has always been in flux, but I truly believe that the talent, innovation and motivation of everyone here means that we will always bounce back strongly. I also love attending Games Committee meetings and am always so impressed by their commitment to BAFTA.
In the wider world, we’re seeing a growing recognition of both the industry’s potential and its challenges, via initiatives and funding such as the Government’s Games Growth package, the UK Games Fund and the London Games Festival. But it’s the community spirit I’ve encountered, and the palpable shared passion for crafting fun, interactive entertainment, for people of all ages everywhere, which I’ve found so inspirational.
I’m proud of BAFTA’s support for the industry. I know from our members just how valuable our socials and networking opportunities have been for colleagues to get together to collaborate, let off steam and support each other. Whether nurturing our future creative leaders through BAFTA Connect or discovering emerging talent through initiatives like Young Games Designer, BAFTA is committed to supporting creative professionals at all stages of their careers.
It’s our amazing membership who makes us who we are. And our Games membership is growing. We now have over 1700 games members, and we are committed to extending our community further – so if you know some great people who could bring their expertise to BAFTA and vote in our Awards, get them involved!
Celebrating our industry and creating special moments like tonight, where we can come together as a community and celebrate each other, is vital to us at BAFTA.
Tonight’s winners and nominees were voted for by our members. This year, 255 incredible games were whittled down to 42 outstanding nominees, each representing the very best of the global games industry. They reflect an industry reshaping itself – with a vibrant mix of established studios standing alongside a wide range of independents, with several earning their first nominations. The industry’s global reach is evident, with nominees from the UK, USA, Japan, Poland, Ecuador and Ukraine.
I want to thank Jane Millichip, BAFTA’s CEO, and the whole BAFTA team. I’m very grateful to Tara Saunders as Chair of our Games Committee for her wonderful and tireless work, and to everyone on the Committee who volunteer their time and expertise to BAFTA.
The Games Awards are supported by headline sponsor Google Play and official partners: EE, Epic Games, PlayStation, AGM and Games London. BAFTA is proud to remain part of the London Games Festival, an event that now engages with over 100,000 people every year. Like BAFTA, it champions the craft, innovation and talent that our industry exhibits.
To all the nominees and winners tonight, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. I now leave you in the hands of our esteemed host.
A digital powerhouse and prominent figure in the games and entertainment space, Elz has built a massive global following, reaching millions of players through her YouTube and social platforms. Paving the way for a new generation of women in games, Elz has successfully challenged industry preconceptions to become one of the UK’s most versatile and in demand broadcasters. We’re delighted to have her hosting tonight.
On behalf of everyone at BAFTA, have a wonderful evening.
