Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Dominates Bafta Game Awards 2026 Nominations
The 22nd Bafta Game Awards, set for April 17 in London, have unveiled their 2026 nominations, with the French breakout hit Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leading the pack with an impressive 12 nominations. This stylish role-playing game has already secured game of the year honours at the UK's Golden Joysticks, the US Game Awards, and the Dice awards in Las Vegas, cementing its status as a critical darling.
Strong Showings from Dispatch and Ghost of Yōtei
Following closely is Dispatch, a game about a benched superhero managing a team of misfits at a call centre, which garnered nine nominations. These include best performer in a leading role for Aaron Paul and a supporting role nod for Jeffrey Wright. Sony's samurai epic Ghost of Yōtei also made a significant impact with eight nominations, featuring best game and best performer for Erika Ishii as Atsu.
Other notable contenders include Death Stranding 2: On the Beach from Kojima Productions, which received seven nominations, though star Norman Reedus was notably absent from the performer categories despite his previous nomination in 2020. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle also features prominently across multiple categories.
Diverse Range of Games Celebrated
Unlike many public-voted gaming awards, the Bafta list, determined by a panel, showcases a broader spectrum of titles. This year's nominations include 42 different games, blending indie gems with blockbuster releases. Small-team or solo developer projects like the Ecuadorian football-memoir Despelote, autobiographical comedy Consume Me, puzzle-box Blue Prince, and dementia-themed And Roger stand alongside high-budget games such as Xbox's Indiana Jones entry.
The "Game beyond entertainment" category highlights this diversity, with nominees from six different countries. Bafta games chair Tara Saunders commented, "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." She added that these games translate complex themes like grief and identity into interactive mechanics, resonating with players seeking authentic, culturally specific stories.
Best Game Category and Notable Absences
The best game category features Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Clair Obscur, multiplayer hit Arc Raiders, Blue Prince, Dispatch, and Ghost of Yōtei. Conspicuously missing is Hollow Knight: Silksong, a fan favourite that won top honours at last year's Steam awards but has been overlooked in major award lists.
The ceremony will be livestreamed on Bafta's YouTube channel, offering global access to the event. Below is a summary of key nominations across categories:
- Animation: Includes Battlefield 6, Death Stranding 2, and Hades II.
- Artistic Achievement: Features Clair Obscur, Death Stranding 2, and South of Midnight.
- Audio Achievement: Nominees range from Arc Raiders to Indiana Jones.
- British Game: Highlights include Atomfall and Two Point Museum.
- Debut Game: Showcases Blue Prince, Despelote, and The Midnight Walk.
- Evolving Game: Covers titles like Fallout 76 and Warhammer 40,000.
- Family: Includes Donkey Kong Bananza and Lego Party!.
- Game Design: Nominees such as Ball x Pit and Split Fiction.
- Multiplayer: Features Arc Raiders and Elden Ring Nightreign.
- Music: Includes Clair Obscur and Hollow Knight: Silksong.
- Narrative: Covers The Alters and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II.
- New Intellectual Property: Highlights The Alters and South of Midnight.
- Performer Roles: Leading roles include Aaron Paul and Erika Ishii; supporting roles feature Jeffrey Wright and Troy Baker.
- Technical Achievement: Nominees range from Doom: The Dark Ages to Split Fiction.
This year's Bafta Game Awards underscore the industry's evolution, celebrating both mainstream successes and innovative indie creations that push the boundaries of interactive entertainment.
