Entertainment
BAFTA Games 2025: The Nominations Are Out and a Small French Studio Just Made Every AAA Publisher Very Uncomfortable…
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads the 2025 BAFTA Games Awards with a dominant 12 nominations, while Aaron Paul, Charlie Cox, and Jeffrey Wright earn first-ever performance nods in a year that proves indie studios are done playing second fiddle.
Nobody saw this coming. Or at least, not quite like this.
When the BAFTA Games Awards unveiled its 2025 nominations in London on Thursday, the room — and the internet shortly after — had one name on its lips: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The ambitious French role-playing game from independent studio Sandfall Interactive, published by Kepler Interactive, stormed the nominations with a staggering 12 nods — the most of any title this year, and a number that puts it firmly in the conversation as the game to beat when winners are announced on April 17.
To put that in context: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, one of the most anticipated and widely praised releases of the past year from MachineGames and Bethesda, earned six nominations. Impressive by any measure — and yet it finds itself looking up at a game that, a year ago, most casual gamers hadn’t even heard of. That is the kind of story the British Academy of Film and Television Arts loves to tell, and this year it’s telling it loudly.
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The Full Picture at the Top
The nominations span 17 categories across 42 games, selected by more than 1,700 BAFTA members from a considered pool of 255 titles — all released between November 16, 2024 and November 14, 2025. The longlists had already been revealed back in December, but Thursday’s official shortlist confirmation has crystallised exactly where the race stands.
Behind Clair Obscur‘s 12 nominations sits Dispatch from AdHoc Studio with nine nods — another independent title punching well above its weight. Ghost of Yōtei from Sucker Punch Productions and Sony Interactive Entertainment follows with eight, while Hideo Kojima‘s Death Stranding 2: On the Beach — the sequel nobody thought would be possible and everyone needed — earned seven nominations, including nods in Animation, Artistic Achievement, and Audio Achievement. Indiana Jones rounds out the top five with its six nominations, including a well-deserved recognition in Audio Achievement.
Hollywood Comes to the Games Stage
Perhaps the most headline-grabbing element of this year’s nominations — beyond the domination of Clair Obscur — is the performance category, which this year features some genuinely recognisable faces from film and television making their BAFTA Games debut.
Aaron Paul, best known to the world as Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad, receives his first-ever BAFTA Games performance nomination. So does Charlie Cox, the British actor who won hearts worldwide as Matt Murdock in Daredevil. And joining them is Jeffrey Wright — the endlessly versatile actor known for Westworld, The Batman, and American Fiction — who also earns his first nomination in the games space.
Their inclusion is significant. It speaks to a growing reality in the video game industry: the craft of performance capture and voice acting has reached a level of sophistication that demands the same recognition previously reserved for film and television. The lines between mediums are blurring fast, and BAFTA is paying attention.
Indie Studios Are No Longer the Underdogs
One theme that runs unmistakably through this year’s nominations is the rise — and perhaps the full arrival — of independent development. Tara Saunders, chair of BAFTA’s Games committee, put it plainly in her statement: “This year’s nominations reflect an industry reshaping itself — with a vibrant mix of established studios standing alongside a wide range of independent studios and a number of development teams earning nominations for the first time.”

She’s right. Supergiant Games earns a nomination for Hades II in Animation — a title that has been in Early Access and yet is already being talked about in the same breath as fully finished AAA releases. Team Cherry‘s long-awaited Hollow Knight: Silksong appears in both Animation and Artistic Achievement — nominations that carry real weight for a fanbase that has been waiting years for any news about the game’s progress. The fact that BAFTA members are recognising it now suggests the wait, whenever it ends, will have been worth something.
Compulsion Games and Xbox Game Studios earn an Artistic Achievement nomination for South of Midnight, the folklore-drenched action-adventure that has been building quiet but passionate anticipation since its announcement.
Meanwhile, Embark Studios earns multiple nominations for Arc Raiders, including in Audio Achievement and Best Game — cementing the Swedish developer’s arrival as a serious force in the industry.
What Happens on April 17
The winners will be revealed at the BAFTA Games Awards ceremony on April 17, and if the nominations are any guide, it is going to be a fascinating night. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33‘s 12-nomination haul makes it the statistical favourite, but awards nights have a habit of distributing wins in ways that defy the numbers. Dispatch‘s nine nods signal genuine industry respect for AdHoc Studio’s work. Ghost of Yōtei and Death Stranding 2 represent the prestige end of the AAA spectrum. And somewhere in that mix, three Hollywood actors are about to find out whether their games work earns them a BAFTA.
The BAFTA Games Awards, founded in 2004, have always prided themselves on celebrating “creative excellence in video games and the people who make them.” This year’s nominations suggest that creative excellence is being found in more places, by more kinds of studios, than ever before.
That is not a bad problem to have.
Entertainment
Miley Cyrus Begins a New Era With Move to Atlantic Records
The Grammy-winning singer has officially parted ways with Columbia Records, setting the stage for the next chapter of her music career.
LOS ANGELES, California: Pop superstar Miley Cyrus is entering a new era of her career. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter has officially signed with Atlantic Records, ending her successful partnership with Columbia Records and setting the stage for what could be her next major musical evolution.
The label change comes after Cyrus released two widely recognized albums through Columbia—Endless Summer Vacation, which featured the global hit “Flowers,” and Something Beautiful, a project that showcased a more artistic and experimental side of the singer. Together, the albums reinforced Cyrus’ reputation as one of the most versatile performers in modern pop music.
Joining Atlantic Records signals more than just a business decision. Industry observers view the move as an opportunity for Cyrus to explore fresh creative collaborations while expanding her already impressive catalog. Atlantic has long been home to some of the biggest names in contemporary music, making it a fitting destination for an artist known for constantly reinventing herself.
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Throughout her career, Miley Cyrus has repeatedly defied expectations. From her early days as the star of Hannah Montana to becoming an international recording artist, she has embraced multiple musical styles, including pop, rock, country, and alternative influences. That willingness to evolve has helped her remain one of the industry’s most influential artists for nearly two decades.
Her previous album, Endless Summer Vacation, earned both commercial success and critical acclaim, largely driven by the worldwide success of “Flowers.” The record became one of the defining pop releases of its year and further established Cyrus as a consistent hitmaker capable of connecting with audiences across generations.
Meanwhile, Something Beautiful reflected a more introspective creative direction, demonstrating her interest in experimenting beyond mainstream pop. Critics praised the album for its artistic ambition, reinforcing the idea that Cyrus continues to prioritize musical growth over predictability.
Atlantic Records has built a reputation for supporting artists with distinctive creative identities, and many industry analysts believe the partnership could provide Cyrus with even greater artistic freedom as she develops future projects. Although neither the singer nor the label has revealed details about upcoming music, anticipation is already building among fans eager to hear what this collaboration will produce.

News of the signing quickly spread across social media, where fans celebrated the announcement and began speculating about potential producers, collaborators, and the musical direction of her next album. Many expressed excitement about the possibilities that a new label partnership could bring after the success of her recent releases.
The move also reflects the changing landscape of the music industry, where established artists increasingly seek label partnerships that align with their evolving creative ambitions rather than simply focusing on commercial performance. For Cyrus, whose career has been defined by reinvention, the transition appears consistent with her long-standing approach to artistic growth.
Despite changing labels, Miley Cyrus remains one of pop music’s most recognizable voices, with a career spanning chart-topping albums, sold-out tours, major award wins, and a global fan base. Her ability to adapt while maintaining a distinct artistic identity has made her one of the most enduring figures in contemporary entertainment.
As Atlantic Records prepares to welcome one of the industry’s biggest stars, attention now turns to what comes next. Whether it leads to a new album, high-profile collaborations, or another bold creative transformation, Miley Cyrus’ latest career move has already become one of the biggest music industry stories of the year.
For fans, the message is clear: a new chapter has begun, and expectations are higher than ever.
Entertainment
EU Backs Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger in Major Regulatory Milestone
Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal Approved by EU Regulators | Global Media Merger Update
The proposed merger between Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery has crossed another significant milestone after receiving approval from European Union competition regulators.
The latest clearance strengthens momentum behind one of the entertainment industry’s most closely watched deals. According to reports, regulators across more than a dozen countries have now signed off on the transaction, indicating that competition authorities see no major obstacles to the companies combining their businesses under the proposed agreement.
The European Union’s approval is particularly important given the region’s strict antitrust standards. Deals involving global media companies often undergo detailed reviews to ensure they do not reduce market competition or negatively impact consumers. With Brussels now giving its blessing, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery have cleared another key regulatory checkpoint on their path toward completing the merger.
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If finalized, the combination would bring together some of the world’s most recognizable entertainment brands. Paramount Global owns iconic studios and networks including Paramount Pictures, CBS, Showtime, MTV and the streaming platform Paramount+.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Discovery controls an equally impressive portfolio featuring Warner Bros. Pictures, HBO, Max, CNN, Discovery Channel and DC Studios.

Industry analysts believe the merger could reshape the global entertainment landscape by creating a stronger competitor in the increasingly crowded streaming market. As traditional television continues to evolve, major studios are looking for greater scale, larger content libraries, and improved operational efficiency to compete with digital streaming leaders.
While the deal has now secured approvals from numerous international regulators, additional regulatory processes may still be required before the transaction can officially close. Companies involved in mergers of this scale typically must satisfy legal and financial conditions across multiple jurisdictions before integration begins.
For investors, filmmakers, and audiences alike, the proposed union represents one of the biggest media consolidation efforts in recent years. If completed, the combined company would oversee an enormous catalog of films, television franchises, streaming platforms, and news operations with a truly global reach.
The European Union’s decision marks another positive step for Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing the entertainment giants closer to completing a deal that could redefine competition across Hollywood and the international media business.
Entertainment
Travis Scott Says Joining Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Was His Biggest Acting Challenge Yet
The rapper recalls feeling intense pressure as he prepared to work with the Oscar-winning filmmaker on the highly anticipated epic.
Music superstar Travis Scott has opened up about his experience joining Christopher Nolan‘s highly anticipated epic The Odyssey, admitting that taking on the acting role left him feeling “nervous as f.”
Known for dominating the global music charts and delivering electrifying live performances, Scott revealed that stepping onto a film set led by one of Hollywood’s most celebrated directors was a completely different challenge. Despite his confidence as a performer, acting in a major motion picture demanded a new level of preparation and focus.
The rapper said the opportunity to collaborate with Christopher Nolan was too significant to pass up. Widely regarded for directing blockbuster hits such as Oppenheimer, Inception, Interstellar, and The Dark Knight, Nolan has built a reputation for creating visually ambitious and emotionally compelling films.
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Scott’s involvement in The Odyssey extends beyond his on-screen appearance. He also recorded an original song titled “When I’m Home,” which will play during the film’s closing credits. The track marks another major crossover between his music career and Hollywood, giving fans a fresh piece of music tied directly to one of the year’s biggest cinematic releases.

Based on Homer‘s legendary ancient Greek epic The Odyssey, Nolan’s adaptation has generated enormous anticipation from moviegoers worldwide. The project boasts an impressive ensemble cast and has been one of the most talked-about productions in recent months, thanks to Nolan’s signature filmmaking style and large-scale vision.
For Travis Scott, the experience represented more than simply appearing in a blockbuster. It was an opportunity to learn from one of cinema’s most respected directors while testing himself in a completely different creative environment.
Although nerves were part of the process, Scott suggested that the challenge ultimately made the experience even more rewarding. His honesty about feeling intimidated has resonated with fans, many of whom praised the artist for embracing a new artistic direction despite the pressure that comes with starring in such a high-profile production.
As excitement continues to build around The Odyssey, audiences will not only get to see Travis Scott in a new acting role but also hear his original contribution to the film’s soundtrack. The dual role highlights the artist’s growing presence in Hollywood as he continues to expand beyond music into film and storytelling.
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