UK BAFTA Game Award Nominations Revealed

Officials from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) have announced the nominations for The British Academy Video Games Awards. PSP title LocoRoco received a total of eight nominations – the joint highest with Ubisoft’s Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter. Namco’s We Love Katamari, published in the UK by EA despite the original game never having been released, received six nominations, with Guitar Hero and Tomb Raider: Legend on five, with Lego Star Wars II gaining four nominations. Paul Jackson, chairman of the BAFTA Games committee commented, “This year’s decision for the Academy to elevate games to an equal status alongside film and television has been praised by the industry, government and media, and the stage is firmly set for The British Academy Video Games Awards to become the industry and consumers’ benchmark of excellence.” The winners in each category will be revealed at a gala awards ceremony on October 5th at the historic Roundhouse in London. Selected highlights of nominees area as follows, with further information available at the official website. Innovation award Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training (Nintendo) Electroplankton (Nintendo) Guitar Hero (Red Octane/Harmonix) LocoRoco (SCEE/SCEJ) Shadow of the Colossus (SCEE/SCEI) We Love Katamari (EA/Namco) Artistic Achievement award Black (EA/Criterion) Hitman: Blood Money (Eidos/Io Interactive) LocoRoco (SCEE/SCEJ) Shadow of the Colossus (SCEE/SCEI) The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2K Games/Bethesda) We Love Katamari (EA/Namco) Gameplay award Guitar Hero (Red Octane/Harmonix) Lego Star Wars II (LucasArts/Traveller’s Tales) LocoRoco (SCEE/SCEJ) The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2K Games/Bethesda) Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter (Ubisoft/Red Storm) We Love Katamari (EA/Namco) Technical Achievement award Battlefield 2: Modern Combat (EA/Digital Illusions) Black (EA/Criterion) Burnout Revenge (EA/Criterion) Just Cause (Eidos/Avalanche) Shadow of the Colossus (SCEE/SCEI) Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter (Ubisoft/Red Storm) Best Game award Black (EA/Criterion) Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training (Nintendo) Guitar Hero (Red Octane/Harmonix) Hitman: Blood Money (Eidos/Io Interactive) Lego Star Wars II (LucasArts/Traveller’s Tales) Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter (Ubisoft/Red Storm)