BAFTA, the UK's esteemed independent arts charity that celebrates excellence in film, games, and television, has recently unveiled the most influential video game of all time, and the result may surprise many. Contrary to popular expectations, games like GTA, Tetris, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Doom, and Half-Life 2 were outranked by the 1999 action-adventure game, Shenmue.

Shenmue, released on the Dreamcast, follows protagonist Ryo Hazuki on a quest for vengeance in a meticulously crafted open-world setting that vividly recreates the essence of 1980s Yokosuka, Japan. BAFTA praises the game for its pioneering approach to immersive environments.

Notably absent from the list are influential titles such as Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo, and Fortnite.

Yu Suzuki, the visionary behind the Shenmue franchise, expressed his gratitude and honor at the game's recognition. "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," Suzuki stated. He emphasized that the game's selection as the most influential video game underscores its lasting impact and inspiration. Suzuki also acknowledged the unwavering support from fans worldwide, hinting at more to come in the Shenmue saga.

Here is the complete list of the top 21 most influential games, as voted by the public:

• 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! garnered seven nominations, while Black Myth: Wukong and Helldivers 2 are up for six and five awards.

Reflecting on the 2024 BAFTA Game Awards, Baldur's Gate 3 emerged as a major winner, securing five accolades, including Best Game. Other notable winners included Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Viewfinder.