BAFTA, the UK's premier arts charity dedicated to recognizing excellence in film, games, and television, has unveiled what it deems to be the most influential video game of all time. In a surprising turn of events, the title that topped the list, as voted by the British public, is not one of the usual suspects like GTA, Tetris, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Doom, or Half-Life 2. Instead, the honor goes to Shenmue.

Released in 1999 for the Dreamcast, Shenmue is an action-adventure game that follows protagonist Ryo Hazuki on his quest for vengeance following his father's murder. BAFTA praised the game for its "detailed open-world setting that truly captures the essence of Yokosuka in the ‘80s." This immersive environment and storyline have evidently struck a chord with gamers, leading to its recognition as the most influential game of all time.

Notably, some modern heavyweights such as Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo, and Fortnite did not make the cut, highlighting the enduring influence of earlier titles.

Yu Suzuki, the creator of the Shenmue series, expressed his gratitude and honor at the game's selection. He reflected on the game's original aim to push the boundaries of realism in gaming, stating, "At its inception, we set out to explore the question, 'How real can a game become?,' aiming to portray a world and story unprecedented in scale and detail. This distinction serves as a powerful reminder that the challenge we embraced continues to resonate with and inspire so many people even today. It is truly the greatest of encouragement."

Suzuki also acknowledged the fans, whose passion and support have been pivotal to the franchise's journey. He hinted at future developments, promising that "the story is not over yet, there is more to come!"

The full list of the top 21 most influential games, as voted by the public, is as follows:

• Shenmue (1999)
• Doom (1993)
• Super Mario Bros. (1985)
• Half-Life (1998)
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
• Minecraft (2011)
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (2025)
• Super Mario 64 (1996)
• Half-Life 2 (2004)
• The Sims (2000)
• Tetris (1984)
• Tomb Raider (1996)
• Pong (1972)
• Metal Gear Solid (1998)
• World of Warcraft (2004)
• Baldur's Gate 3 (2023)
• Final Fantasy VII (1997)
• Dark Souls (2011)
• Grand Theft Auto 3 (2001)
• Skyrim (2011)
• Grand Theft Auto (1997)

Looking ahead, the 2025 BAFTA Game Awards are scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Leading the nominations are Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Astro Bot, and Still Wakes the Deep with 11, eight, and eight nominations respectively. Thank Goodness You're Here! has garnered seven nominations, Black Myth: Wukong six, and Helldivers 2 is in the running for five awards.

Reflecting on the past, the 2024 BAFTA Game Awards saw Baldur's Gate 3 sweeping five categories, including Best Game. Other notable winners included Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Viewfinder.