Renowned video game composer Yoko Shimomura is set to receive the BAFTA Fellowship at this year’s BAFTA Games Awards, honoring her significant contributions to the gaming industry. Known for composing music in iconic series such as Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy XV, and Xenoblade Chronicles, among others, Shimomura expresses gratitude towards her supporters and the gaming community. Previous recipients of the prestigious fellowship include Shigeru Miyamoto, Hideo Kojima, and Gabe Newell. This year's BAFTA Games Awards nominations were recently announced, with Xbox's Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 leading the list. The awards ceremony will be held on April 8 in London and streamed live on BAFTA’s platforms.

Renowned Japanese composer Yoko Shimomura will be awarded the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship for her groundbreaking contributions to video game music. Known for iconic scores in games like Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy XV, and Xenoblade Chronicles, Shimomura's work has left an indelible mark on the industry. The Fellowship, presented by the arts charity, recognizes exceptional achievements in film, games, or television. This honor will be bestowed at the 21st BAFTA Games Awards on April 8, streamed live from London. CEO of BAFTA, Jane Millichip, praised Shimomura as a pioneer who has inspired countless artists. Previous recipients include legends such as Shigeru Miyamoto and Hideo Kojima. Shimomura's diverse compositions span various genres, blending classical orchestration with modern sounds.

The article explores the polarizing nature of art, specifically focusing on video games that provoke divided opinions among players. These games often challenge conventional forms or defy marketing expectations, leading to passionate debates about their quality. Among these contentious titles is "Life Is Strange: Double Exposure," a direct sequel to the original "Life Is Strange." Fans were split, with some criticizing its attempt to reconcile the first game's endings and its shift towards a larger universe, which they felt strayed from the series' character-driven roots. Others praised the bold expansion of the IP and welcomed Max's return. Reactions ranged widely, from strong disapproval to high acclaim, highlighting the subjective nature of artistic appreciation in gaming.

April kicks off the second quarter of the gaming year with an exciting lineup. Notable releases include *South of Midnight* on Xbox and PC, a top Indiana Jones game for PS5, and several remasters. The month's highlight is the Switch 2 Direct on April 2, where Nintendo will livestream details about its upcoming console, potentially revealing games, pricing, and a release date. For broader insights, GameSpot offers a list of anticipated 2025 video games, the year's best titles so far, and platform-specific highlights. This period marks a significant acceleration in the gaming calendar, promising engaging content for fans.

Former PlayStation President Shuhei Yoshida credits *NieR: Automata* as a pivotal turning point for the Japanese gaming industry. He argues that the game, directed by Yoko Taro, demonstrated to developers the importance of embracing their unique cultural identity rather than imitating Western styles. This shift marked a divide between the "before" and "after" NieR eras, revitalizing the industry and proving that authentically "Japanese" content could succeed globally. The rise of digital distribution further enabled niche themes to reach broader audiences, fostering an international market for Japanese culture. Yoko Taro acknowledged Yoshida's praise but noted that it was Producer Saito who encouraged him to focus on creating for a Japanese audience without worrying about overseas reception.

"Drownlight" is an upcoming game set in a flooded world where players build a city around a lighthouse, focusing on survival, resource management, and maintaining the light to protect their people. The game showcases realistic water effects, stunning visuals, and strategic building placement. Shared clips reveal dynamic weather, a day-and-night cycle, and immersive lighting. Conversations with residents have consequences, adding depth to the gameplay. While primarily centered on building and survival, the game may also include real-time strategy (RTS) elements. Drownlight’s Steam page is expected soon, offering more insights into its mechanisms and features.

Actor Jason Momoa, starring in the upcoming *A Minecraft Movie*, reveals he doesn't allow his 16-year-old son to play video games or own a phone, preferring to encourage creativity through other means. While Momoa's daughter, aged 18, has a phone, he believes in limiting tech exposure until adulthood. Growing up, Momoa himself was restricted from playing video games by his mother, who encouraged outdoor activities. Despite not being a gamer, Momoa joined *A Minecraft Movie* after producer Cayle Boyter valued his comedic skills and lack of gaming knowledge. The film, co-starring avid gamer Jack Black, is set for release on April 4, with expectations of a strong box office performance.

The anticipation for the second Grand Theft Auto VI trailer is building, fueled by fans' theories and clues from Rockstar's social media. Despite the humor around these speculations, it is highly probable that another trailer will release before the game’s official launch. Take-Two Interactive’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, has provided a timeline suggesting the trailer may arrive before the game’s fall release. This might be the developer's way of redirecting the community’s energy towards a more concrete timeframe, allowing players to move past the speculation and focus on the upcoming official content.

The horror game "Abandoned," announced for PS5, was a scam that never came to fruition, marking an embarrassing chapter in the video game industry. Promoted by BLUE BOX Game Studios and Hasan Kahraman, it sparked speculation linking it to Hideo Kojima's canceled project "P.T." Despite generating hype, including a PS Store app for a non-existent demo, investigations revealed fraudulent activities. In 2022, GameSpot exposed misconduct by Kahraman, including inappropriate Discord chats and admissions that the game wasn’t in development. Ultimately, "Abandoned" was a scheme to defraud investors, and as of mid-2025, it remains unreleased and will never see release.

Cody "Clix" Conrod, a renowned Fortnite player and content creator, discusses his journey from a young gamer to a global influencer with millions of followers. Starting at age 13, Conrod quickly amassed wealth and fame, balancing competitive gaming with streaming. Now 20, he collaborates with brands like JBL and co-owns esports organization XSET. Despite dropping out of school to focus on gaming, Conrod remains competitive and influential, achieving significant milestones such as being the most qualified player for Fortnite’s World Cup. Looking ahead, he plans to transition into acting rather than game development, acknowledging the transient nature of professional gaming careers. Conrod emphasizes happiness and discipline in his career, values partnerships with brands he trusts, and envisions esports reaching NBA-level popularity in the future.

Tony Hawk revealed that the decision to include a mix of new and classic tracks in the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 soundtrack was his, addressing fan disappointment over the absence of original songs by bands like Iron Maiden and Alien Ant Farm. Hawk expressed hope that players would enjoy discovering new music, echoing the spirit of the original games. Additionally, Bam Margera, initially rumored to be excluded, will feature in the game following Hawk's intervention. The remastered game, set for release on July 11, 2025, will offer cross-platform multiplayer and early access for higher editions. It will launch on various platforms, including Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam, and Battle.net, as well as on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed the lack of a specific release date for Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA6), despite its scheduled Fall release. In an interview with Bloomberg, Zelnick explained that Take-Two and subsidiary Rockstar Games aim to sustain the unprecedented anticipation for GTA6 by strategically withholding release details until closer to launch. This approach contrasts with competitors who announce release schedules years in advance. Market analysts predict GTA6 will be the largest entertainment release in 2025, prompting other publishers to consider rescheduling their games to avoid competition. Industry executives highlight the challenge of securing player attention amidst a crowded market, emphasizing time as a critical factor over financial investment.