Journey, The Walking Dead and Far Cry 3 lead the way in the Bafta Videogame Awards 2013

Thought you'd seen the last of the those face-shaped trophies for another year? Think again, as the British Academy sets its sights on gaming.

The nominations for the British Academy Games Awards 2013 have been announced. This year a total of 53 games have been recognised across 17 categories, showcasing some of the most popular and groundbreaking games of the last 12 months and highlighting the phenomenal level of creativity from UK and international development teams.

Journey and The Walking Dead are both nominated for Best Game, Game Design, Story and Original Music. Journey also receives nominations for Artistic Achievement, Audio Achievement, Game Innovation and Online-Multiplayer. The Walking Dead is also up for Mobile & Handheld as well as two nominations for Performer. Far Cry 3 and Dear Esther are both up for Artistic Achievement and Audio Achievement. Far Cry 3 is also nominated for Action, Story, Best Game and Game Design and Dear Esther for British Game, Debut Game and Performer.

Halo 4 is nominated for Action, Artistic Achievement, Audio Achievement and Online-Multiplayer. Borderlands 2 receives nominations for Action, Artistic Achievement, Game Design and Online-Multiplayer. Assassin’s Creed III is up for Audio Achievement, Online-Multiplayer, Original Music and Performer. The Room is nominated for Artistic Achievement, British Game, Debut Game and Mobile & Handheld.

Dear Esther, Forza Horizon, LEGO: The Lord of the Rings, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, The Room and Super Hexagon are all nominated in this year’s new category, Best British Game.

Showcasing the best in young games development and design talent, the finalists in this year’s BAFTA Ones To Watch Award in association with Dare to be Digital are Pixel Story, Project Thanatos and Starcrossed.

The British Academy Games Awards will take place on Tuesday 5th March at the London Hilton on Park Lane, and will be hosted for the fifth consecutive year by comedian and gamer Dara O’Briain. An Awards highlight’s show will be televised on Challenge on Monday 11 March at 10pm, and the evening will also be streamed live on Twitch.