The usual suspects are representing VR at this year’s BAFTA Games, but they’re nominated in surprising categories.
The UK’S BAFTA Games Awards are one of the few that haven’t yet implemented a VR/AR category. But VR is there in force in the 2019 nominations. Sony’s beloved PSVR platformer, Astro Bot Rescue Mission, leads the pack. Somewhat amazingly, it’s been nominated in the Best Game category, going up against the likes of God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2. Sony posted the hilarious image mashing Astro with Kratos in celebration.
“BOT!”
Congrats to God of War and Astro Bot Rescue Mission for their @BAFTAGames nominations, including Best Game! ?https://t.co/xmCrRRA7KP pic.twitter.com/7LcIbdQbML
— PlayStation UK (@PlayStationUK) March 14, 2019
That isn’t the only category for Astro, though. The game’s also nominated in the Game Design and Innovation categories. It’s a well-deserved bit of recognition. Astro Bot warmed our hearts with its playful, often amazing vision of VR.
Meanwhile, Polyarc’s excellent VR adventure, Moss, earns Original Property and Game Innovation nods of its own. Moss is similar to Astro Bot in style, polish and quality so we’re happy to see it land some of its own nominations. Beat Saber, meanwhile, scores itself a Debut Game nomination. To be honest we’re surprised not to see it get a few more than that. Finally, the soothing sounds of Tetris Effect rightly score Audio Achievement and Music nods. Tetris Effect featured only optional VR support, but it still counts.
A pretty good turn out for team VR, then. If Astro Bot walked away with the Best Game award it would be quite the coup. Fingers crossed.
The ceremony’s set to back place on April 4th.
