BAFTA Back for Game Awards in 2009

With two successful years of pomp and glitzy bluster under its belt, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts has announced that its British Academy Video Games Awards are set to return in March 2009, following a leave of absence this year.

With its videogames award ceremony scheduled for March 10 at the London Hilton, Park Lane, the Academy aims to "support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefitting the public."

To this end, BAFTA has unveiled its 13 nomination categories, with awards being dolled out across Action & Adventure, Artistic Achievement, Best Game, Casual, Gameplay, Multiplayer, Original Score, Sports, Strategy, Story & Character, Technical Achievement and Use of Audio. 2009 also sees the introduction of a new Handheld category, recognising development excellence across mobiles phone, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS and Nintendo GBA titles.

Next year's ceremony will also see prizes awarded for the BAFTA Ones To Watch Award in association with Dare To Be Digital - aiming to recognise new gaming talent - and another for games or gaming technology worthy of special recognition. The evening will also see another industry member's indoctrination into the Academy's prestigious Fellowship, the highest accolade it can bestow on an individual for outstanding achievement and contribution to the industry through a body of work - last year awarded to Will Wright.

Nominations are voted for by industry "experts" and the final nominations list in each category is set to be unveiled on February 10, 2009 - one month before the official award ceremony.

http://uk.psp.ign.com/articles/898/898098p1.html