The Last of Us Part II smashes rainbow ceiling with historic BAFTA Games Awards nominations
Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part II has received 13 nominations at the BAFTA Games Awards 2021, including Best Game and five Performer awards.
Not only is the game now the most nominated in BAFTA Games history, but significantly that makes it the most nominated LGBT+ game at the awards. The Last of Us Part II proudly features a lesbian in the lead role, as well as a trans supporting character.
Ashley Johnson, who plays lead role Ellie in the game, has been nominated for Performer in a Leading Role. She’s previously won the award twice for playing Ellie in the previous game and its downloadable content. Shannon Woodward, who plays Ellie’s partner Dina, is nominated for Performer in a Supporting Role.
The game is also nominated in the Game Beyond Entertainment category for its diverse representation, alongside trans narrative game Tell Me Why.
How good is that list?! Discover the 2021 #BAFTAGames Awards nominations in full now ⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/Q6IhskGJHU
— BAFTA Games (@BAFTAGames) March 2, 2021
Sony’s exclusive PlayStation games lead the nominations, with ten nominations for Ghost of Tsushima, seven for Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales and six for Dreams.
The critically acclaimed Hades has eight nominations, also notable for its LGBT+ representation in its bisexual lead character Zagreus and the touching gay relationship between Achilles and his lover Patroclus.
The BAFTA Games Awards 2021 will take place virtually on 25 March in an online live stream hosted by games presenter and journalist Elle Osili-Wood.
The Best Game award will be decided between Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Ghost of Tsushima, Hade, Half Life: Alyx, The Last of Us Part II and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. The EE sponsored Game of the Year, as voted by the public, is between Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Call of Duty: Warzone, Ghost of Tsushima, Hades, The Last of Us Part II and Valorant – you can have your say here.
For a full list of BAFTA Games Awards 2021 nominations, visit the BAFTA Game Awards website.
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