Gamer Network, one of the leading business firms operating in games media, confirmed that a new partnership has been reached between the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and gaming convention EGX Rezzed, which will see both events coincide with one another next year.
Running from March 12th–14th, 2015 at London’s Tobacco Dock, EGX Rezzed will hold a special exhibition event on the first day for BAFTA’s Inside Games, which is where the public will have a hands-on experience with some of the upcoming titles developed by independent studios. The British Academy Games Awards is scheduled to be held later that evening, leaving Rezzed to open its doors to the public for the final two days.
Rupert Loman, co-founder and CEO of Gamer Network, believes that “EGX Rezzed champions the very best in indie games development with many blockbuster releases having had their debuts at previous Rezzed events.”
EGX Rezzed is held yearly in London, England and showcases upcoming AAA and indie titles being developed for console and PC, with this year’s event set to feature games such as Alien: Isolation, Assassin’s Creed Rogue, Battlefield Hardline and Beyond Flesh and Blood (a Manchester-based shooter title from developer Pixelbomb Games).
“The games on show at next year’s event are potential award winners of the future,” Loman added. Bringing the two brands together provides a perfect partnership between the industry’s most important awards ceremony and the best consumer games event.”
Earlier this year, the BAFTA Games Awards were held in London and streamed live on Twitch, which had comedian Dara Ó Briain hosting the event and Rockstar Games were presented with BAFTA’s Fellowship Award by none other than Metal Gear Solid creator and director Hideo Kojima.
“The UK is a hotbed of original and creative games development and, over the last few years, we’ve seen a broad array of UK developers take centre stage at the British Academy Games Awards and win the recognition they deserve,” said Harvey Elliott, chair of BAFTA’s Games Committee. “The rejuvenated indie community has also risen to the cutting-edge of the video games industry and competes very confidently on the world-stage.
“Our collaboration with EGX Rezzed ensures that we deliver on our aim to further raise the profile of the amazing talent the games industry has to offer and to preview some of the amazing experiences that we can expect in the year ahead.”
Gamer Network have also stated that there will be more news regarding EGX Rezzed, the British Academy Games Awards and BAFTA’s Inside Games in the coming months.