Path of Exile

Path of Exile wins BAFTA for Best Evolving Game
7 April 2020

New Zealand’s Grinding Gear Games has beaten some of the world’s leading games – including Fortnite and Final Fantasy XIV – to win the 2020 BAFTA for Best Evolving Game.

Since 2003, The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has included Games alongside Film and Television in their annual award ceremonies. Path of Exile was singled out as a world-leading example of running “games as a service”, as the thirteen-year old studio regularly updates its game content and community with quarterly leagues. It is currently working on Path of Exile 2, which will be both a sequel and an integrated expansion of the existing game.

“In the seven years since Path of Exile was released Grinding Gear Games’ passion for constant evolution has brought in and retained millions of players all over the world. They’re a perfect example of the creativity and ingenuity that Kiwi game developers have become known for, and it’s incredibly fantastic to see them being recognized on the world stage,” says NZGDA Chairwoman Cassandra Gray.

While this is the first time a New Zealand game has won a BAFTA it is not the first time one has been a finalist. In 2013 Wellington-based Pikpok’s Super Monsters Ate My Condo was nominated for best Mobile and Handheld game and in 2016 Dinosaur Polo Club’s MiniMetro was nominated for Best Debut.

Watch the awards livestream and acceptance speech here.