Every year, the BAFTA Games Awards take a moment to appreciate the crème de la crème of the gaming world, with entries coming from around the globe, including the UK. Excitingly, a good number of games available on Xbox platforms have snagged nominations for the upcoming awards set for Tuesday, April 8. This includes blockbuster titles from our first-party studios like “Call of Duty: Black Ops 6,” “Diablo IV,” “Sea of Thieves,” and “World of Warcraft.” Not to be outdone, pioneering indie games such as “Animal Well,” “Balatro,” and “Botany Manor” also earned their spots on the list. If you’re on Xbox, there’s a trove of BAFTA-nominated titles to explore right now.
But today, we’re turning the spotlight onto “Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II,” which made an impressive sweep with 11 nominations, stretching across a multitude of categories that encompass almost every facet of game creation. This achievement is a huge moment for the developer Ninja Theory, who have previously racked up nine nominations and won in five categories for “Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice.” This is a testament to the incredible hard work and attention to detail that went into crafting this extraordinary game experience.
To mark this achievement, we chatted with various developers from the studio about their work in each nominated category and what this acknowledgment means to them.
The animation team at Ninja Theory is buzzing with joy over the recognition from BAFTA for their work on “Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.” Animation Director Guy Midgley shared his enthusiasm, “The whole animation team was thrilled to be specifically recognized in the Animation category. We’re glad that all the hard work, love, and specific vision for Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II has been received so well. Our aim was to bring Senua, her cohort, and adversaries to life as vividly as possible, whether it was the up-close nuance of an intimate moment between friends or the life-and-death struggle against her deepest fears.”
Equally celebrated is the game’s achievement in artistry. VFX Director Mark Slater-Tunstill expressed profound pride in how the art team continually pushes creative boundaries. “To have the recognition from BAFTA is incredible and means so much to everyone here,” he shared. Their journey involved mastering new UHD features, collaborating with costume designers, and even using drones to capture Iceland’s stunning landscapes, all contributing to the game’s vivid portrayal.
David García Díaz, the game’s audio director, didn’t hold back when describing the fulfillment brought by their BAFTA nomination for audio achievement. “To bring to life the world and reality of Senua through sound is a privilege,” he said, emphasizing the spirit of innovation and dedication that transformed Senua’s journey into an auditory masterpiece.
For the British Game category, Studio Head Dom Matthews sees the recognition as particularly meaningful for its potential to inspire future developers. “I like to think that there will be a kid out there who will see the games created in the UK and be inspired to feel the same pride I do,” he hopes.
Beyond entertainment, Paul Fletcher shared that, “In Senua’s Saga, Ninja Theory have represented one of the most misunderstood conditions with incredible skill, respect, and sensitivity,” speaking to the game’s handling of mental health themes.
Musically, David García Díaz again took center stage, highlighting how the soundtrack was built on collaboration, and the importance of telling an emotionally resonating story without words, leading to yet another BAFTA nod.
Narrative is at the heart of “Hellblade II,” and writer Lara Derham couldn’t be more proud. “Storytelling is pivotal, and receiving a BAFTA nomination in the Narrative category is a true honor,” she shared.
In the realm of performance, Melina Juergens as Senua received an astounding nomination for Performer in a Leading Role. Her dedication brought every emotional nuance to the screen, pushing performance technology to new heights.
Supporting roles weren’t left out, with Aldís Amah Hamilton and the duo of Abbi Greenland and Helen Goalen also recognized for their powerful portrayals.
Lastly, the team was thrilled with the Technical Achievement nomination, which celebrates not just innovation, but the sheer effort and artistry that built the game’s immersive world from the ground up.
Kudos to Ninja Theory for “Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II” and to all BAFTA nominees this year. Catch the live broadcast of the BAFTA Games Awards on Tuesday, April 8 at 11am Pacific / 2pm Eastern / 7pm UK on YouTube and Twitch.
