British Video Game Awards to be broadcast live on the web

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) have been presenting the British Academy Video Games Awards since its inaugural ceremony 2003.

On March 19, 39 of 2009's top games jostle for the 14 awards available in categories from Best Game to Family & Social, while a selection of 10 titles face an online public vote.

The ceremony will be broadcast live on the BAFTA website from 8.45pm GMT, including a special presentation for the three finalists of Dare To Be Digital, a university and college game design competition.

Four 2009 releases lead the pack - Uncharted 2, Modern Warfare 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum, and Assassin's Creed II picked up 9, 8, 7, and 6 nominations respectively.

FIFA 10 and Left 4 Dead 2 join those four in the Best Game category, while it's PixelJunk Shooter and New Super Mario Bros. Wii that complete the Gameplay award hopefuls.

Appearing elsewhere among the nominees are Battlefield 1943 and British exclusive SingStar Take That for their implementation of online play, and Flower is recognised for its artistic and audio excellence.

Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars for the Wii joins Brütal Legend and Dragon Age to compete for the best story award, Buzz! Quiz World is in with a chance to win the Family & Social group, and iPhone game Plants vs Zombies rubs shoulders with the formidable Empire: Total War in the strategy category.

In the public vote for the GAME Award 2009, there are 10 titles to pick from. Visitors to the Bafta Game Award website have until March 16 to cast a vote for either The Beatles: Rock Band, FIFA 10, GTA: Chinatown Wars, Zelda: Spirit Tracks, Street Fighter IV, or Wii Sports Resort, or one of the BAVGA's four frontrunners.

Public voting for the GAME Award 2009 is at BaftaGameAward.com
Watch the British Academy Video Game Awards on March 19 at Bafta.org