Two studios 'honoured' by Bafta Game Award nominations

Two Sussex game developers say they are "honoured" to have been nominated for this year's Bafta Gaming Awards.

Brighton-based FuturLab and 2K's Hangar 13 are among six developers from across the UK listed in the British Game category for their respective games Powerwash Simulator 2 and Mafia: The Old Country.

Kirsty Rigden, CEO of FuturLab, says she is "beyond thrilled" and "honoured" for the nomination, alongside a second nomination for Best Family Game.

"This means so much to the team, to see PowerWash sitting alongside some of the greatest games and game makers of all time," Rigden said.

Hangar 13 Studio Head, Nick Baynes, also called the nomination a "huge honour" which created a "meaningful moment for the team", as the shortlist was announced on the studio's eighth birthday.

"This nomination reflects years of passion, hard work, and our love for the Mafia franchise – from leading Mafia: Definitive Edition in 2020 and now into new levels of cinematic storytelling with The Old Country," Baynes said.

Other nominees in the Best British Game category include Monument Valley 3 by South London developer Ustwo and Atomfall by Oxford developer Rebellion Developments.

"The UK is home to some of the best game studios in the world," Baynes said, "and our home city of Brighton is a real hub of development talent, so it's no surprise to see one of our fellow studios nominated in the same category".

Rigden said it was "no real surprise" that "great games" were also made in Brighton.

She said: "I think there's something really grounding, and soothing to be so close to the sea.

"I know that I often just stare at it and ideas come to me. We're very lucky in that regard."

The Bafta Games Awards will be held on 17 April 2026 at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London.

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