BAFTA AWARDS

Playing video games has been one of the world’s biggest hobbies since the mid 20th century. For those that don’t know, a video game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a console or buttons, and a screen. Video games used to be played only on televisions or arcade game screens, but now they are played on all kinds of devices, including computers and mobile devices. The earliest known video game was the “Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device” in 1947. It was very simple. The player controlled a dot on a screen that simulated a missile fired at targets. The first coin-operated video game arrived in 1971. It was called Computer Space and was in black and white. Since then, technology has leapt ahead to produce the classics we know and love today. The future of video games is sure to be as exciting as the games themselves.

Recently, the Batman video game “Arkham Asylum” has won top prize at Britain’s biggest gaming awards. The all-action superhero adventure game has received the best game award at the BAFTA Awards. Gamers can take on the role of Batman as he fights his traditional enemies in an asylum. The best video game category only started in 2004 but it has become one of the world’s most recognized video game awards. BAFTA is the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Its new award category is recognising “artistic, creative and technical innovation in video games.” Gamers around Britain voted for the best games. The shoot-em-up game “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” won the second place whereas Nintendo won the award of the best family and social game with its Wii Sports Resort.

A special moment at the ceremony was when BAFTA presented a lifetime achievement award to legendary game maker Shigeru Miyamoto. He is the creator of legendary games such as Super Mario, Donkey Kong, and The Legend of Zelda. He told the audience: “Our imaginations and creativity...should be the only limits and that is what makes our industry a joy and a dream to work in.” Miyamoto’s words have motivated everyone in the industry. A British politician

Tom Watson echoed Miyamoto as he handed out a prize. He said to game designers: “You are going to be the dominant creative characters of this century.” Many game designers believe they are showing far more creativity than Hollywood.

Adapted from: www.breakingnewsenglish.com