Latest news with #StillWakestheDeep
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Karen Dunbar wins Bafta for Still Wakes the Deep video game role
Actor and comedian Karen Dunbar is celebrating winning a Bafta for her debut in the world of video games. The Chewin' The Fat star was named best performer in a supporting role for Still Wakes the Deep, a first-person horror set on a Scottish oil rig, at the 21st Bafta Game and fellow Scot Alec Newman won best performer in a leading role at the ceremony in London on told the audience: "I've been nominated for many a Scottish Bafta but never won. And yet here I am in the gaming community , thank you so much." Still Wakes the Deep follows offshore electrician Caz, played by Newman, and his co-worker Finlay, played by Dunbar, who are trapped on a damaged North Sea drilling platform in are pursued by mysterious monsters and have to deal with terrible weather conditions. Players must rely on stealth and puzzle-solving to stay developers - Brighton based games company The Chinese Room - cite classic horror and science fiction films and TV shows such as Annihilation, John Carpenter's The Thing and Sapphire and Steel as inspirations. The trailer for the game and its soundtrack features the Gaelic song 'Fath Mo Mhulaid A Bhith Ann' (Being Here Has Caused My Sorrow), performed by Maggie MacInnes, and the game has a Gaelic subtitles director John McCormack said this was an attempt to reflect its "uniquely Scottish story"."After listening to 'Fath Mo Mhulaid A Bhith Ann' for the first time, it was clear that the game experience wouldn't be complete without a full translation deeply connected to the history and people of Scotland," he Alec Newman is perhaps best known for playing head master Michael Byrne in the BBC series Waterloo Road from also played Paul Atreides in the 2000 mini-series of Dune, and has appeared in Outlander, Shetland and Call The Midwife.A prolific games actor, he thanked the makers of Still Wakes the Deep for giving him the role."Your attention to detail is phenomenal, and was an inspiration to me from the moment I first read for Caz McLeary," he Secret Mode said they were delighted with the awards."We're thrilled for Alec and Karen who played a huge part in bringing this wonderful game to life," the company's James Schall said. Dunbar told BBC Scotland News she was "gob-smacked" to have said she attended the awards with the hope of meeting one of her favourite actors Matt Berry - star of vampire comedy What We Do in the Shadows. "Part of the surprise is I was up against Matt Berry and I love him," she said. "I felt I had to go to possibly meet him and maybe mingle a bit."When they said my name I started clapping, thinking it was Matt Berry. Then I was like 'Oh my God, it's me'."This isn't false modesty," she added. "I know when I'm good and I know when I'm not and I was good in that game."This was her first video game acting role, an experience she enjoyed and compares to working on a radio play. Sonic the Hedgehog's mum Dunbar performed remotely from Glasgow while her co-stars and director were in a studio in London and she believes her relative lack of experience in the genre may have helped free her up to play the role."I didn't have any preconceptions, I just played the character. I was ignorant," she made the move into a new genre, she is now keen to continue working in games."Just to be in that world was so exciting. To see all those new people. I had no idea before and I really liked it, especially at my age when I have done most things," she said. And while the 54-year-old admits she has never been much of a gamer, the role of Finlay has opened up new opportunities for the future."The last game I played was Sonic the Hedgehog, so I would like to to play Sonic the Hedgehog's mum," she said.
Sky News
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
BAFTA Games Awards: Astro Bot tops leaderboard - with psychological horror close behind
Astro Bot was the big winner at this year's BAFTA Games Awards, taking home five prizes, including the coveted best game. The 3D platformer, which was launched to critical acclaim in September to mark PlayStation's 30th anniversary, was nominated for eight gongs, while Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, led with 11 nods. But in the end, the critics - some of whom had dubbed Astro Bot a "perfect game" - were right as it dominated the awards at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall. BAFTAs for audio achievement, game design, animation, and best family game completed the set for developers Team Asobi, who designed multiple galaxies and dozens of levels for the titular Astro to journey through, retrieving spaceship parts and rescuing lost robots. "We're a team based in Japan, but we have over 12 nationalities. We really mix it up and get ideas from everyone," Nicolas Doucet, president of Team Asobi, told Sky News. "We do a lot of jokes in the game, but the joke has a different meaning depending on where you are in the world. So it's really, really nice to go around and ask everyone 'is that joke fine in your country?' And then together we come to a kind of universal playfulness." It's a very different atmosphere than that generated by British psychological horror Still Wakes the Deep, which won three awards for best new intellectual property and best supporting and leading roles. Compared to John Carpenter's 1980 sci-fi horror The Thing but on a Scottish oil rig, the game sees players take on the role of an electrician trapped on a damaged facility while being pursued by monsters. Developer The Chinese Room has been praised for using home-grown talent to voice the characters, including comedian and actress Karen Dunbar, who picked up best performer in a supporting role for voicing Finlay. "I've been nominated for quite a few BAFTAs in my time in Scotland, and I've never won one," said Dunbar. "It was such a great category, so many great performances. When they shouted my name, I think I started clapping for someone else!" Meanwhile, best multiplayer game went to Helldivers II - a satirical, sci-fi shooter that sees players fight bugs, aliens and robots with the gumption and gullibility of the characters in Paul Verhoeven's Starship Troopers. It has gained a cult following since launching in February 2024 with so much initial interest it created server problems. "Games for me are about connecting people and forging those bonds of friendship and the multiplayer award is exactly what it stands for," said Johan Pilestedt, chief executive of Arrowhead Game Studios. From outer space to a fictional Yorkshire town called Barnsworth. Thank Goodness You're Here, a cartoonish, comedy platformer, won Best British Game. Like Still Wakes the Deep, it has won praise for the authenticity of its actors and setting. " I think it's been a real privilege to be able to represent Barnsley on the silver screen," said Will Todd, who is from the town and one of two game designers behind the project. Co-creator James Carbutt added: "Me and Will wrote everything in our tone of voice, quite literally. The further along development we got, the more we lent into it. I think the voices from different parts of the UK and different voices in gaming are super important, and hopefully we're one of them." By the time the BAFTAs wrapped up, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II was only handed one of the 11 BAFTAs it was nominated for, technical achievement. But developers Ninja Theory are already adding this year's win to a tally of five BAFTAs they were awarded for the first game in the series, which created a protagonist with psychosis by drawing on clinical neuroscience and the experiences of people living with the condition.
The Guardian
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Bafta games awards 2025: full list of winners
In a video game year dominated by dark, bloody fantasy adventures – and continued job losses and studio closures – it was a cute robot that stole the night at the 2025 Bafta video game awards. Sony's family-friendly platformer Astro Bot won in five categories at yesterday evening's ceremony including best game and game design. The rest of the awards were evenly spread across a range of Triple A and independent titles. Oil rig thriller Still Wakes the Deep was the next biggest winner with three awards: new intellectual property, performer in a leading role and performer in a supporting role. Clearly actors looking for Bafta-winning roles need look no further than the North Sea. The only other multiple winner was online shooter Helldivers 2 which won in multiplayer and music. The night's most nominated title, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, was victorious in just the one category: technical achievement. Elsewhere, the British game award was taken by perhaps the most British game ever made, the Yorkshire-based adventure Thank Goodness You're Here. Smash hit card puzzler Balatro may only have won a single award – debut game – but it was surely also victorious in the non-existent best acceptance speech of the night category, thanks to actor Ben Starr's appearance in full jester make-up and three-pronged hat. There were a couple of surprise triumphs. Hardcore role-playing adventure Metaphor: ReFantazio won in the highly competitive narrative category, while sumptuous side-scrolling platformer Neva claimed artistic achievement and Vampire Survivors swooped in for Evolving game. The game beyond entertainment award went to Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a magical adventure inspired by the death of creative lead Abubakar Salim's father and based on Bantu mythologies. Finally the Bafta fellowship was awarded to legendary soundtrack composer Yoko Shimomura, who has scored games such as Street Fighter II, Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy XV. 'Music has always been there with me, when things were sad or when I was filled with anger, shifting my mood from negative to positive,' she said in her acceptance speech. 'I've sometimes felt I have no talent for music, when I've been unable to write or play in the way I wanted. But now I am working in my dream job, writing music for the games I love.' Animation Astro Bot Artistic achievement Neva Audio achievement Astro Bot Best game Astro Bot British game Thank Goodness You're Here Debut game Balatro Evolving game Vampire Survivors Family Astro Bot Game beyond entertainment Tales of Kenzera: Zau Sign up to Pushing Buttons Keza MacDonald's weekly look at the world of gaming after newsletter promotion Game design Astro Bot Multiplayer Helldivers 2 Music Helldivers 2 Narrative Metaphor: ReFantazio New intellectual property Still Wakes the Deep Performer in a leading role Alec Newman, Caz McLeary in Still Wakes the Deep Performer in a supporting role Karen Dunbar, Finlay in Still Wakes the Deep Technical achievement Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Bafta fellowship Yoko Shimomura
Sky News
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
BAFTA Games Awards: Full list of winners
The BAFTA Games Awards celebrate gaming excellence and creative achievement in the best games of the last year. Hosted by comedian Phil Wang for the second year running, the biggest names in gaming gathered at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall. With 41 games nominated across 17 categories, here are all the winners - in bold - from the night. Animation Astro Bot Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 LEGO Horizon Adventures Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Thank Goodness You're Here! Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Artistic Achievement Astro Bot Black Myth: Wukong Harold Halibut Neva Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Still Wakes the Deep Audio Achievement ANIMAL WELL Astro Bot Helldivers 2 Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Star Wars Outlaws Still Wakes the Deep Best Game Astro Bot Balatro Black Myth: Wukong Helldivers 2 The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Thank Goodness You're Here! British Game A Highland Song LEGO Horizon Adventures Paper Trail Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Still Wakes the Deep Thank Goodness You're Here! Debut Game ANIMAL WELL Balatro Pacific Drive The Plucky Squire Tales of Kenzera: ZAU Thank Goodness You're Here! Evolving Game Diablo IV FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE No Man's Sky Sea of Thieves Vampire Survivors World of Warcraft Family Astro Bot Cat Quest III LEGO Horizon Adventures Little Kitty, Big City The Plucky Squire Super Mario Party Jamboree Game Beyond Entertainment Botany Manor Kind Words 2 (lofi city pop) Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Tales of Kenzera: ZAU Tetris Forever Vampire Therapist Game Design ANIMAL WELL Astro Bot Balatro Helldivers 2 The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Tactical Breach Wizards Multiplayer Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Helldivers 2 LEGO Horizon Adventures Super Mario Party Jamboree TEKKEN 8 Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Music Astro Bot Black Myth: Wukong FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Helldivers 2 Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Star Wars Outlaws Narrative Black Myth: Wukong Dragon Age: The Veilguard FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Metaphor: ReFantazio Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Still Wakes the Deep New Intellectual Property ANIMAL WELL Balatro Black Myth: Wukong Metaphor: ReFantazio Still Wakes the Deep Thank Goodness You're Here! Technical Achievement Astro Bot Black Myth: Wukong Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Tiny Glade Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Performer in a Leading Role Alec Newman as Cameron 'Caz' McLeary in Still Wakes the Deep Humberly González as Kay Vess in Star Wars Outlaws Isabella Inchbald as Indika in INDIKA Luke Roberts as James Sunderland in SILENT HILL 2 Melina Juergens as Senua in Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Y'lan Noel as Troy Marshall in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Performer in a Supporting Role Abbi Greenland & Helen Goalen as The Furies in Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Aldís Amah Hamilton as Ástríðr in Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Jon Blyth as Big Ron in Thank Goodness You're Here! Karen Dunbar as Finlay in Still Wakes the Deep Matt Berry as Herbert the Gardner in Thank Goodness You're Here! Michael Abubakar as Brodie in Still Wakes the Deep
Forbes
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
2025 BAFTA Games Awards Winners: ‘Astro Bot' Wins Deserved GOTY
'Astro Bot' took home five BAFTA Games Awards, including Best Game. Astro Bot dominated the 2025 BAFTA Games Awards, claiming Game of The Year along with four more gongs for Audio Achievement, Family, Animation, and Game Design. Anyone who's played Astro Bot will be in no way surprised, despite strong competition, in another typically BAFTA affair with surprises along the way. Last year, Baldur's Gate 3 unsurprisingly led both the nominations (11) and awards won (4); in 2025, the top nominee was a bit more of a shock, as local favorite Senua's Saga: Hellblade II was the frontrunner (also with 11), albeit missing out on the all-important Game of the Year shortlisting. In the end, Hellblade II took home just one BAFTA for Technical Achievement. Still Wakes the Deep came second with three BAFTAs — New Intellectual Property, and both Performers in Supporting and Leading Roles — a particular high point being Karen Dunbar, the actor behind Finlay who was, delightfully, the most Scottish person on the internet tonight, saying 'I'm not even an actor, I'm a gynecologist!' Even with six nominations, Black Myth: Wukong got nothing. Thank Goodness You're Here!, the hometown fave, grabbed just one award from seven, even though it felt like a contender in every one of its categories. It's worth noting just how much that sole trophy meant to its developers at Coal Supper; they're an incredible bunch, and they deserve every success in the future. Will Todd and James Carbutt rightfully received a BAFTA for 'Thank Goodness You're Here!'. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder Sadly, Balatro didn't get its dues; if it was going to win Game of the Year anywhere, it was the BAFTAs. Just look at Vampire Survivors, which beat God of War Ragnarök to the top gong in 2023, but also fairly picked up tonight's award for Evolving Game. After the first award Balatro was nominated for — New Intellectual Property — went to Still Wakes the Deep, winning dev The Chinese Room admitted they thought Balatro had it in the bag. Despite all this, Balatro had the biggest laugh of the night when the poker-based roguelike (and my own GOTY) collected its sole award for Debut Game. Ben Starr, who's played the part of Jimbo the Joker on behalf of the famously public-averse solo dev LocalThunk, read the funniest speech of the night, saying how 'he has shoes made of gold and he thanks you for making him that way.' Most importantly, he ended the speech saying: 'Oh, and play more independent games like Animal Well, they are the lifeblood of this industry and they deserve your respect.' The BAFTA Games Awards was hosted for the second year in a row by comedian Phil Wang, who compared himself to the Nintendo Switch 2 — 'not noticeably better, but I did charge a lot more this time' — but only after the ceremony opened with the year's industry highlights powered by the (literally) golden guitar skills of Pendulum star Peredur ap Gwynedd, who played a selection of the band's hits that featured in video games. Other highlights included Tales of Kenzera: Zau winning Game Beyond Entertainment, even though Surgent Studios faced major and heartbreaking circumstances after the title's launch; nerd-turned-hunk Matthew Lewis, A.K.A. Neville Longbottom, rocking up to present the BAFTA for Game Design; and deserving BAFTA Fellowship Award-winning Yoko Shimomura's translator, who I hope was being paid by the hour. Plenty of other smaller titles deservedly got their moments in the sun: Tiny Glade, The Plucky Squire, Little Kitty, Big City, Botany Manor, Paper Trail, A Highland Song, and Pacific Drive. Even triple-As were rightly lauded; the clip packages for both Astro Bot and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 only reminded everyone of how varied and brilliant both games were. There were a couple of other nice surprises, namely Metaphor: ReFantazio claiming the Narrative award in the face of big local competition, and Neva's much-deserved win for Artistic Achievement. Five awards: Astro BotThree: Still Wakes the DeepTwo: Helldivers 2One: Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, Thank Goodness You're Here!, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Vampire Survivors, Neva, Balatro Read the full list of 2025 BAFTA Games Awards nominees on the organization's website.
