2021 Bafta Gaming Awards

Louise Blain reflects on this week’s 2021 Bafta Gaming Awards,
talking with the nominees and featuring the music - considering
them as a possible litmus test on the shape of gaming in the
2020s.


Music featured in the programme is taken from the nominees for
the Best Gaming Music category, which are: GHOST OF TSUSHIMA by
Ilan Eshkeri, Shigeru Umebayashi, Peter Scaturro; HADES by Darren
Korb; THE LAST OF US PART II by Gustavo Santaolalla, Mac Quayle,
Scott Hanau; MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN: MILES MORALES by John Paesano,
Scott Hanau, Alex Hackford; ORI AND THE WILL OF THE WISPS by
Gareth Coker; and SACKBOY: A BIG ADVENTURE by Jay Waters, Joe
Thwaites, Joanna Skorupa.


Nominees for the Game of the Year include ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW
HORIZONS which has proved such a hit during a year of lockdown.


Louise looks at these, and more, listing the winners.


In Louise’s words:


"Gaming was such a lifeline for so many people over 2020 and the
2021 British Academy Games Awards nominations reflect that. I
don't think many of us would feel quite as connected to friends
if we hadn't spent months fishing together in Animal Crossing:
New Horizons or sharing the emotional web of The Last of Us Part
2. Vitally, 2020's games are a clear indicator of the diversity
possible in this industry. I can't wait to explore the incredible
scores nominated in the Best Gaming Music category. From the
heroic joy of Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales to the indie
sword-spinning action of Hades, these are soundtracks to define a
year like no other."