Shrapnel Games Blog

So the winners of the BAFTA awards were announced the other day. Judging from both the nominees and those that won, BAFTA (which sounds like a free trade agreement but is really the acronym for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts) is without a clue when it comes to video games.

Let’s start off with the original nominee list that included games that were not even available. Thankfully none of those won, but still, you do have to wonder why they’re even included to begin with. Really, of all the entry requirements shouldn’t being done be pretty high on the list?

Then look at the nominees themselves and what categories they reside in. For example, beneath the PC World Games Award there is a grand total of ONE PC game. Or check out the Strategy and Simulation category, which resembles one of those logic questions you’ll find on a standardized test. Which game doesn’t belong? True, you can probably call out more than one, but there is one title on that list that truly is a fish out of water.

And who cleaned up the awards? Wii Sports. Good for Wii Sports. I’m sure it’s the best strategy and simulation title that came out in 2007.

Now, one thing I keep hearing about these BAFTAs is the fact that yeah, they’re really lame and all, but hey, at least it’s a serious institution giving out the awards so it’s all right. Video games are being accepted, after all.

To begin with, do awards that are so off base really have any meaning? Aren’t the BAFTA awards pretty much the equivalent of earning a gold star in school because you show up? Do even the winners feel like they’ve actually won something?

Let’s get back to that whole acceptance thing. Gamers are willing to give BAFTA a pass because instead of a bunch of dorky gaming mag editors handing out the awards it’s the ACADEMY of Film and Television ARTS. Oooooo, swanky.

Who cares?

Why should we feel that we need acceptance by the mainstream? Last time I checked the folks who are into gaming, whether as creators or fans, tend not to be the type who are interested in following the crowd. Yet deep down it seems like there’s a yearning to be finally, positively, considered cool. To me this is the same issue that’s driving the whole ‘are games art’ debate. It’s not really a matter of folks wanting to view games as something that awakens your spirit and emotions, but rather the chance to drop the perceived stigma that being a gamer brings.

Aren’t we so far entrenched in the world at this point though that it doesn’t matter anymore? Do we really need to justify our passion by the recognition of groups who have no idea what they’re talking about?

I say no. Meaningless awards do not promote the hobby. But that’s just me. What’s your take?

Memoir ’44 Painting Contest

Quick note to all the Memoir ’44 fans out there in case you didn’t spot this on the Days of Wonder blog. They’re having an aircraft painting contest in conjunction with Game Trade Magazine to win a big, custom tournament-style map. Read all about it here. I know I’ll definitely be picking up a GTM next month and seeing what kind of magic I can work. Watch all the mags be stuffed with Fi 156es instead of something cool like the Lightning…