The BAFTA Games Awards concluded yesterday evening, with standout victories for Balatro and Vampire Survivors. Yet the absence of platform-specific categories raises questions about visibility.

While these awards may lack the spectacle of Geoff Keighley's Game Awards, their prestige arguably surpasses them. Though no mobile-specific categories existed in the 2024 ceremony, two notable mobile-related triumphs emerged.

Balatro secured Debut Game honors - a bittersweet achievement for Localthunk's roguelike deckbuilder. While celebrating this indie success, industry observers note publishers now desperately seek similar viral hits.

Vampire Survivors, previously crowned Best Game in 2023, earned Best Evolving Game this year - defeating heavyweights like Diablo IV and Final Fantasy XIV Online.

Why no mobile focus? BAFTA maintains a platform-agnostic approach, eliminating mobile-specific categories in 2019. Despite major mobile titles like Vampire Survivors and Genshin Impact succeeding, this philosophy persists.

I previously discussed this with BAFTA's Luke Hebblethwaite, who explained their belief that games should compete regardless of platform. While controversial, one can't deny mobile's role in boosting winners like Balatro and Vampire Survivors - offering some consolation for mobile enthusiasts.

That's my perspective. For more gaming insights, check out the latest Pocket Gamer Podcast episode where we explore mobile gaming trends (and beyond).