A few months ago, the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), often regarded as the British equivalent of the Oscars, decided to take a different approach to determining excellence. Instead of relying solely on their own assessments, they turned to the gaming community, inviting players to vote for the most influential video game of all time. The results, announced today, have sparked a lively debate within the industry.
BAFTA’s Surprising Findings
In a rather unexpected twist, the BAFTAs proclaimed Yu Suzuki’s 1999 Dreamcast title, Shemue, as the most influential video game ever created. The academy lauded Shemue as a “pioneer for open-world gameplay,” asserting that it laid the groundwork for future titles. Additionally, it was credited with popularizing the use of Quick Time Events (QTEs), a feature that has since become commonplace in many games.
However, the choice of Shemue has raised eyebrows among industry veterans. Some argue that its influence pales in comparison to other landmark titles, particularly those that defined entire genres, such as the first-person shooter (FPS) games.
The list continues to surprise as it unfolds. Following Shemue, Doom claimed the second spot, while Super Mario Bros secured third place. Half-Life came in fourth, and both The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Minecraft found their places at fifth and sixth, respectively. Yet, the seventh position went to the recently released Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, a title that has barely had time to establish its legacy.
This particular ranking raises questions about the criteria voters used. It appears that many respondents interpreted “most influential” as “which game do you personally enjoy?” This interpretation led to some surprising inclusions, such as Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 being deemed more influential than iconic titles like Super Mario 64, Half-Life 2, The Sims, and even the timeless classic Tetris.
While this outcome may serve as a humorous commentary on the democratic process, it also highlights the challenges of crowd-sourced accolades. The disparity between expert opinions and public sentiment underscores the complexities of evaluating artistic influence in the gaming industry.
The BAFTA most influential list in full:
- Shemue
- Doom
- Super Mario Bros
- Half-Life
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Minecraft
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
- Super Mario 64
- Half-Life 2
- The Sims
- Tetris
- Tomb Raider
- Pong
- Metal Gear Solid
- World of Warcraft
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Final Fantasy VII
- Dark Souls
- Grand Theft Auto 3
- Skyrim
- Grand Theft Auto
