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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claims best game at Bafta ceremony
The French-made role-playing adventure Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was named best game of the year at the Bafta Games Awards in London on Thursday, though it fell short of sweeping all categories as many had predicted.
Key wins and surprises
Developed by independent studio Sandfall Interactive, Expedition 33 secured three awards: best game, debut game, and lead performer for actress Jennifer English. The title had entered the ceremony with 12 nominations across 10 categories but missed out in supporting performer and, notably, music.
Superhero adventure Dispatch also took home three trophies, while PlayStation action title Ghost of Yōtei won two, including the music award-a result that surprised many observers. Expedition 33's soundtrack, composed by Lorien Testard, had been widely praised and had previously earned industry recognition.
Game's emotional narrative and studio journey
Set in a world where a supernatural entity, The Paintress, caps the population's age, Expedition 33 follows a group of adventurers on a quest to defeat her. Critics and players lauded its emotional storytelling and turn-based combat, reminiscent of classic RPGs.
The game's development story also resonated with audiences. Sandfall Interactive was founded by former Ubisoft employees who left the gaming giant to pursue their creative vision. Studio head Guillaume Broche, accepting the best game award, called the project a "tremendous team effort" and thanked players for their support.
"We have thanked our players enough, but we will thank them again-we love you."
Guillaume Broche, Studio Chief, Sandfall Interactive
Broche also highlighted the game's impact, noting it had helped players navigate themes of grief and loss. Addressing the industry crowd, he urged fellow developers to recognize the power of their work: "Your work changes lives."
Other notable winners
Dispatch, an episodic superhero game that gained unexpected popularity after its release last year, won awards for animation and audio achievement. Actor Jeffrey Wright, known for his roles in Westworld, earned the supporting performer award for his work in the game, though he was not present to accept it.
The game design award went to Blue Prince, a puzzle adventure created by solo developer Tonda Ros. Ros, who previously worked in film, spent eight years developing the game, often working 80-hour weeks. In his acceptance speech, he described the process as an "adventure in itself" and emphasized the importance of exploring new creative territory.
Bafta also honored Ilkka Paananen, CEO of Clash of Clans maker Supercell, with its fellowship award for his 26-year career in the industry. Paananen praised the academy for recognizing mobile games, which he noted are often overlooked at major awards ceremonies.
Full list of winners
- Best game: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Debut game: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead performance: Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Supporting performance: Jeffrey Wright, Dispatch
- Music: Ghost of Yōtei
- Narrative: Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
- Game design: Blue Prince
- Animation: Dispatch
- Audio achievement: Dispatch
- Technical achievement: Ghost of Yōtei
- British game: Atomfall
- Multiplayer: Arc Raiders
- Artistic achievement: Death Stranding 2
- Evolving game: No Man's Sky
- Family: Lego Party!
- New intellectual property: South of Midnight
- Game beyond entertainment: Despelote
- Fellowship: Ilkka Paananen, Supercell
Industry reflections and future highlights
Bafta Games Awards CEO Jane Millichip noted that 255 games were submitted for consideration this year, with many coming from independent UK developers. She praised the thoughtfulness of Bafta's voting members, who she said take their decisions seriously.
The ceremony also featured a premiere of the title sequence for the upcoming James Bond game 007: First Light, performed by Lana Del Rey and introduced by composer David Arnold.
The awards come at a challenging time for the industry, which has faced widespread layoffs in recent years. Despite this, the Bafta Games Awards remain one of the most prestigious events in gaming, celebrating both blockbuster titles and smaller, innovative projects.
