The winners of the 2022 BAFTA Game Awards were announced on Thursday at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. Returnal emerged as the big winner, winning in four major categories including Best Game.
'Returnal' Wins Big, Jane Perry Named Best Performer
The sci-fi shooter game developed by Housemarque also won in the Audio Achievement and Music categories. Jane Perry, who provided the voice of "Returnal's" lead protagonist Selene Vassos, also won best leading performer. Selene is an astronaut that is trapped in a time loop after crash landing on an alien planet.
The actress thanked BAFTA for the recognition of the artists and talents in the gaming industry. According to a report by the BBC, Perry said in her acceptance speech that "Performers dream of having a role like that to sink our teeth into. She is a middle-aged woman, she's a single mom and she is courageous and strong."
"And despite her considerable loss and trauma, she never gives up," Perry adds. "She hopes for a better future and I think given the very serious state of the world right now that we can all take inspiration from Selene."
Read Also: BAFTA Games Awards 2022: Here is the Full List of Nominees
'Unpacking' Wins Best Narrative and EE Game of the Year
Other big winners of the evening included "It Takes Two," "Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart," and "Unpacking," winning two BAFTAS each.
"Unpacking" won Best Narrative and was voted by the public as EE Game of the Year. The independent puzzle game, created by couple Wren Brier and Tim Dawson, tells about the story of the life of a woman told in a series of unboxing of possessions in each house she moves in.
"It's incredible to have our little weird game recognised," Brier said in her speech as she accepted the Best Narrative Award. "We're not telling a complicated story in Unpacking but the way we tell it is different, and it's nice to see that that's appreciated and resonates with people."
The couple was also surprised when they were named the winners of the EE Game of the Year, according to a report by Eurogamer. This is the only category that is based on public votes.
"Wow. We really, really didn't expect this one. Like, there was no chance," Brier said.
Below is the complete list of winners:
- Best game - "Returnal"
- Best British game - "Forza Horizon 5"
- Performer in a leading role - Jane Perry as Selene Vassos in "Returnal"
- Performer in a supporting role - Kimberly Brooks as Hollis Forsythe in "Psychonauts 2"
- EE game of the year - "Unpacking"
- Narrative - "Unpacking"
- Evolving game - "No Man's Sky"
- Original property - "It Takes Two"
- Multiplayer - "It Takes Two"
- Debut game - "Toem"
- Game beyond entertainment - "Before Your Eyes"
- Family - "Chicory: A Colorful Tale"
- Animation - "Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart"
- Game design - "Inscryption"
- Artistic achievement - "The Artful Escape"
- Technical achievement - "Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart"
- Audio achievement - "Returnal"
- Music - "Returnal"
The BAFTA Awards first began to award recognition to the best of the gaming industry 18 years ago. This year was the first time in two years that Awards were given in a live physical ceremony. The event had to be held virtually for the past two years due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
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Story posted on GameNGuide
Written by Fred Layno
