Report: Rockstar Didn't Enter Red Dead Redemption Into The BAFTAs

There's a bizarre omission in last night's BAFTA results: Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption is nowhere to be seen

by Sammy Barker Thu 17th Mar 2011

Bureaucracy Says Red Dead Redemption Wasn't The Game Of The Year. Hint: It Was.

It wasn't even a nomination in fact. Why is that? According to the BAFTA's chief operation officer, Kevin Price, it's because Rockstar didn't enter.

"We dont have the right to automatically enter a videogame, he said. We encourage the publishers and developers to enter. Were not happy that Rockstar games isnt in the longlist this year, but the simple answer is it wasnt entered."

Hmm. Fair enough. But that totally underscores the credibility of the entire awards show. For our money, Red Dead Redemption was easily the best game of the last twelve months. What's the point in honouring the best releases when the best release gets ignored?

Sources claim that Rockstar blackballed the BAFTAs after Grand Theft Auto IV failed to pick up any awards at the 2009 ceremony. Hint: it probably should have. Either way it seems odd that publishers should have to apply to have their games recognised for an award. We're sure there's some legal mumbo-jumbo detailing why, but, eurgh. Red Dead Redemption was the game of the year folks. Ignore whatever you find through here.