The British Academy Video Games Award for Game Design is an award presented annually by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). It is given in honor of "the best game design that captivates and engages the player", including recognition of elements such as game mechanics, use of controls, level and world structure, and pacing.
The award was first given at the 8th British Academy Video Games Awards ceremony, held in 2012, to the Valve title Portal 2. Since its inception, the award has been given to eleven games and, to date, no developer has won the award more than once. Nintendo EPD and Ubisoft Montreal hold the record for most nominations among developers, with four each, though the former won in 2017, leaving the latter as the developer with most nominations without a win. Sony Interactive Entertainment lead the publishing nominees, with fifteen nominations and two wins, while Ubisoft are the publisher with the most nominations without a win, with five.
The current holder of the award is Blue Prince by Dogubomb and published by Raw Fury, which won at the 22nd British Academy Games Awards in 2026.
Winners and nominees In the following table, the years are listed as per BAFTA convention, and generally correspond to the year of game release in the United Kingdom. + Table keyIndicates the winner YearGameDeveloper(s) Publisher(s)2011 (8th) Portal 2ValveValveBatman: Arkham CityRocksteady StudiosWarner Bros. Interactive EntertainmentL.A. NoireTeam BondiRockstar GamesLittleBigPlanet 2Media MoleculeSony Computer EntertainmentSuper Mario 3D LandNintendo EADNintendoThe Elder Scrolls V: SkyrimBethesda Game StudiosBethesda Softworks2012 (9th) JourneyThatgamecompanySony Computer EntertainmentBorderlands 2Gearbox Software2K GamesDishonoredArkane StudiosBethesda SoftworksFar Cry 3Ubisoft MontrealUbisoftThe Walking DeadTelltale GamesTelltale GamesXCOM: Enemy UnknownFiraxis Games2K Games2013 (10th) Grand Theft Auto VRockstar NorthRockstar GamesAssassin's Creed IV: Black FlagUbisoft MontrealUbisoftThe Last of UsNaughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentPapers, Please39093909TearawayMedia MoleculeSony Computer EntertainmentTomb RaiderCrystal DynamicsSquare Enix2014 (11th) Middle-earth: Shadow of MordorMonolith ProductionsWarner Bros. Interactive EntertainmentAlien: IsolationThe Creative AssemblySegaDestinyBungieActivisionFar Cry 4Ubisoft MontrealUbisoftHearthstone: Heroes of WarcraftBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentThrees!SirvoSirvo2015 (12th) BloodborneFromSoftwareSony Computer EntertainmentGrow HomeUbisoft ReflectionsUbisoftHer StorySam BarlowSam BarlowLovers in a Dangerous SpacetimeAsteroid BaseAsteroid BaseRocket LeaguePsyonixPsyonixThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntCD Projekt RedCD Projekt2016 (13th)InsidePlaydeadPlaydeadBattlefield 1EA DICEElectronic ArtsDishonored 2Arkane StudiosBethesda SoftworksOverwatchBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentTitanfall 2Respawn EntertainmentElectronic ArtsThe WitnessThekla, Inc.Thekla, Inc.2017 (14th)Super Mario OdysseyNintendo EPDNintendoAssassin's Creed OriginsUbisoft MontrealUbisoftHorizon Zero DawnGuerrilla GamesSony Interactive Entertainment EuropeThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildNintendo EPDNintendoNieR: AutomataPlatinumGamesSquare EnixWhat Remains of Edith FinchGiant SparrowAnnapurna Interactive2018 (15th)Return of the Obra DinnLucas Pope3909Astro Bot Rescue MissionJapan Studio Sony Interactive Entertainment EuropeGod of WarSanta Monica StudioCelesteMatt Makes Games Inc.Matt Makes Games Inc.Into the BreachSubset GamesSubset GamesMinit JW, Kitty, Jukio, and DomDevolver Digital2019 (16th)Outer WildsMobius DigitalAnnapurna InteractiveBaba Is YouArvi TeikariHempuli OyControlRemedy Entertainment505 GamesDisco ElysiumZA/UMZA/UMSekiro: Shadows Die TwiceFromSoftwareActivisionWattamFunomenaAnnapurna Interactive2020 (17th)HadesSupergiant Games Animal Crossing: New HorizonsNintendo EPDNintendoAstro's PlayroomJapan StudioSony Interactive EntertainmentGhost of TsushimaSucker Punch ProductionsThe Last of Us Part IINaughty DogHalf-Life: AlyxValve Corporation2021 (18th)InscryptionDaniel Mullins GamesDevolver Digital DeathloopArkane StudiosBethesda SoftworksForza Horizon 5Playground GamesXbox Game StudiosIt Takes TwoHazelight StudiosElectronic ArtsRatchet & Clank: Rift ApartInsomniac GamesSony Interactive EntertainmentReturnalHousemarque2022 (19th) Vampire Survivors Poncle Elden Ring FromSoftware Bandai Namco God of War Ragnarök Santa MonicaSony Interactive Entertainment Horizon Forbidden West Guerrilla Tunic Finji Cult of the Lamb Massive Monster Devolver Digital2023 (20th) Dave the Diver Mintrocket Cocoon Geometric Interactive Annapurna Interactive Dredge Black Salt Games Team17 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Insomniac Games Sony Interactive Entertainment Viewfinder Sad Owl Studios Thunderful Group2024 (21st)Astro BotTeam AsobiSony Interactive Entertainment Animal Well Shared Memory Bigmode Balatro LocalThunk Playstack Helldivers 2 Arrowhead Game Studios Sony Interactive Entertainment The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Nintendo EPD, Grezzo Nintendo Tactical Breach Wizards Suspicious Developments2025 (22nd)Blue PrinceDogubombRaw Fury Ball x Pit Kenny Sun Devolver Digital Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Sandfall Interactive Kepler Interactive Ghost of Yōtei Sucker Punch Productions Sony Interactive Entertainment Hades IISupergiant Games Split Fiction Hazelight Studios Electronic Arts
Multiple nominations and wins Developers Developer Nominations Wins Nintendo EPD/EAD 4 1 Ubisoft Montreal 4 0 Arkane Studios 3 0 FromSoftware 3 0 Blizzard Entertainment 2 0 Guerrilla Games 2 0 Japan Studio 2 0 Media Molecule 2 0 Naughty Dog 2 0 Santa Monica Studio 2 0 Valve 2 1
Publishers Developer Nominations Wins Sony Computer/Interactive Entertainment 15 2 Ubisoft 5 0 Bethesda Softworks 4 0 Nintendo 4 1 Annapurna Interactive 3 1 Devolver Digital 3 1 Electronic Arts 3 0 2k Games 2 0 3909 2 1 Activision 2 0 Blizzard Entertainment 2 0 Rockstar Games 2 1 Square Enix 2 0 Valve 2 1 Warner Bros Interactive 2 1
References
External links British Academy Video Games Awards official website