The Great Expansion Debate: Awards Eligibility and the Case of Shadow of the Erdtree

The ongoing discussions within the gaming community often center around the classification of expansions and their eligibility for various awards. Recently, the expansion titled Shadow of the Erdtree has raised questions about whether it should be deemed a standalone game or merely an addition to an existing title. This debate has intensified since it was nominated for the title of Game of the Year at The Game Awards.

The Game Awards maintains its stance that Shadow of the Erdtree can indeed be recognized as a new game. Contrastingly, BAFTA has taken a different route, declaring that it will not qualify for their Best Game category. Nonetheless, this statement does not preclude the possibility of the expansion receiving other accolades.

A representative from BAFTA explained that the Best Game category is meant for full games that have debuted within the last year. Daring considerations for DLC and enhancements only apply to titles initially released before November 25, 2023, and these elements are evaluated under the Evolving Game category.

Additionally, BAFTA does not permit remastered games to be considered for awards, while remakes are only accepted in specific categories. This stance significantly diverges from the approach taken by The Game Awards, prompting a broader discussion on the criteria used for recognizing gaming achievements. What are your thoughts on this distinction?