Bafta games awards 2026: Clair Obscur and Dispatch lead the nominations

"Compared with other gaming awards ceremonies, many of which are public-voted, the panel-voted Bafta list tends to nominate (and honour) a much broader range of games. This year, Ecuadorian football-memoir game Despelote, autobiographical coming-of-age comedy Consume Me, the sublime puzzle-box Blue Prince and a game about dementia called And Roger all made by very small teams or led by solo developers sit alongside blockbuster-budget games such as Xbox's Indiana Jones and the Great Circle."

"This list shows that beyond entertainment' has gone well beyond a niche. It spans everything from intimate indie memoirs to blockbusters that all use games as a medium to make big human themes felt, not just watched, Bafta games chair Tara Saunders said."

"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a game that has already won game of the year prizes at December's Game Awards in the US, the UK's Golden Joysticks last November, and February's Dice awards in Las Vegas dominates the 2026 nominations list."

The 22nd Bafta Games Awards nominations for 2026 feature Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as a dominant contender following its Game Awards, Golden Joysticks, and Dice Awards victories. Dispatch leads with nine nominations including acting performances by Aaron Paul and Jeffrey Wright. Ghost of Yotei secured eight nominations with Erika Ishii recognized for her leading role. Death Stranding 2 received seven nominations. Unlike other gaming awards that rely on public voting, Bafta's panel-voted approach recognizes a broader range of games, including indie titles like Despelote, Consume Me, Blue Prince, and And Roger alongside major blockbusters. The 42-game nomination list demonstrates significant diversity, particularly in the Games Beyond Entertainment category, which spans six countries and highlights games addressing important social issues.

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