French RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has topped the 2026 BAFTA Games Awards nominations with a record-breaking 12 nods for a debut game, followed by Dispatch with nine. The 22nd awards recognise 42 titles across 17 categories from UK and international studios, with the ceremony set for 17 April at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall.
The nominations, announced on 12 March 2026, highlight creative excellence in the global games industry. Developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 earned nods in best game, music, and narrative, marking the most for a debut title in BAFTA history, surpassing Death Stranding's 2020 record.
Dispatch, a superhero adventure from AdHoc Studio, secured nine nominations, including best game and performer nods for Aaron Paul (leading) and Jeffrey Wright (supporting). Ghost of Yōtei (Sucker Punch Productions) received eight, featuring Erika Ishii as leading performer Atsu. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (Kojima Productions) got seven but missed best game, while Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (MachineGames/Bethesda) earned six, including Troy Baker as Indiana Jones. Arc Raiders (Embark Studios) picked up five.
Best game nominees are Arc Raiders, Blue Prince, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Dispatch, Ghost of Yōtei, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. British developers feature prominently, with six in the British game category: Atomfall, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, Mafia: The Old Country, Monument Valley 3, Powerwash Simulator 2, and Two Point Museum.
Other categories include Animation (Battlefield 6, Death Stranding 2, Dispatch, Ghost of Yōtei, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong), Artistic Achievement (Clair Obscur, Dispatch), Audio Achievement, Debut Game, Evolving Game, Family, Game Beyond Entertainment (And Roger, Consume Me, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, and others from Japan, Poland, UK, US, Ecuador, Ukraine), Game Design, Multiplayer, Music, Narrative, New IP, Performer in a Leading Role, Performer in a Supporting Role, and Technical Achievement. Nine of 12 performance nominees are first-timers.
Leading performers: Aaron Paul (Dispatch), Ben Starr (Clair Obscur), Erika Ishii (Ghost of Yōtei), Jennifer English (Clair Obscur), Tom McKay (Kingdom Come: Deliverance II), Troy Baker (Indiana Jones). Supporting: Alix Wilton Regan (Lies of P), Charlie Cox (Clair Obscur), Jane Perry (Dead Take), Jeffrey Wright (Dispatch), Kirsty Rider (Clair Obscur), Troy Baker (Death Stranding 2).
BAFTA Games Committee chair Tara Saunders said: "Today’s nominations recognise 42 outstanding games that highlight the very best of the global games industry. This year’s nominations reflect an industry reshaping itself – with a vibrant mix of established studios standing alongside a wide range of independent studios, and a number of development teams earning nominations for the first time. The exceptional craft, artistry and innovation behind these titles shines through. A nomination is an extraordinary achievement, and I extend my warmest congratulations to every nominee for their innovation, hard work and resilience."
Voted by over 1,400 BAFTA members, the awards will stream on YouTube and Twitch from the Queen Elizabeth Hall on Friday, 17 April 2026.
