BAFTA, the renowned UK arts charity that honors excellence in film, games, and television, has recently unveiled the most influential video game of all time, and the result might surprise you. In a public poll conducted by BAFTA, iconic titles such as Grand Theft Auto, Tetris, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Doom, and Half-Life 2 were recognized, but it was Shenmue that clinched the top spot based on the number of votes received.
Released in 1999 on the Dreamcast, Shenmue is an action-adventure game that follows protagonist Ryo Hazuki on his quest for vengeance following his father's murder. BAFTA praised the game for its "detailed open-world setting that truly captures the essence of Yokosuka in the ‘80s."
The "pioneering first-person shooter" *Doom* came in second place, while the classic 1985 platformer *Super Mario Bros.* secured the third spot. Rounding out the top five were *Half-Life* and *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time*, respectively.Notably, several high-profile titles such as Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo, and Fortnite did not make the list.
Yu Suzuki, the creator of the Shenmue franchise, expressed his gratitude, stating, "I am deeply honored and grateful that Shenmue has been selected as the Most Influential Video Game of All Time. At its inception, we set out to explore the question, 'How real can a game become?,' aiming to portray a world and story unprecedented in scale and detail. This distinction serves as a powerful reminder that the challenge we embraced continues to resonate with and inspire so many people even today. It is truly the greatest of encouragement."
Suzuki also extended his appreciation to the fans, saying, "Above all, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the fans around the world who have continued to love and support Shenmue. Your passion and encouragement have guided this journey every step of the way. And the story is not over yet, there is more to come! Thank you very much!"
The complete list of the top 21 most influential games of all time, as voted by the public, is as follows:
Looking ahead, the 2025 BAFTA Game Awards are scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Leading the nominations are Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Astro Bot, and Still Wakes the Deep, with 11, eight, and eight nominations respectively. Thank Goodness You're Here! also received seven nominations, Black Myth: Wukong garnered six, and Helldivers 2 is up for five awards.
In the 2024 BAFTA Game Awards, Baldur's Gate 3 emerged as a major winner, securing five awards, including Best Game. Other notable winners included Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Viewfinder.
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