adminThe 2026 BAFTA Games Awards trailer for indie game The Quiet Things was withdrawn shortly before the ceremony after organizers concluded they could not provide suitable content warnings in time. BAFTA described the move as a compliance decision, while developer Alyx Jones said proposed changes to the trailer were not acted on.
Image credit: Silver Script Games
Why the 2026 BAFTA Games Awards trailer was pulled
Jones said on LinkedIn that they received a phone call informing them that the trailer would not be shown while they were on their way to the nominees’ party. They had spent the preceding two weeks editing it, hoping the awards event would introduce the small independent game to a wider audience.
The Quiet Things is described as an autobiographical narrative adventure inspired by Jones’s diaries. Its Steam store page identifies themes including self-harm, suicide, sexual assault and non-consensual sex, and childhood abuse. Because these subjects can be distressing for some viewers, content warnings can help audiences make an informed choice about whether to watch.
According to Jones, the reason given for removing the trailer was that there was not enough time to put appropriate warnings in place. Jones said they offered to make further edits immediately, but felt those suggestions were disregarded. They also described the decision as part of a recurring experience in which work dealing with difficult subjects can be excluded because it might upset or discomfort audiences.
BAFTA’s response and approach to trailers
BAFTA said it chose not to screen a trailer for an unreleased game because it could not adequately alert guests to potentially triggering themes. The organization said the decision applied only to its event and that the wellbeing of attendees was its priority. It also stated that it supports games that address challenging subjects.
For event organizers, this situation highlights the value of agreeing on content-warning requirements and review timelines before promotional material is finalized. Clear guidance can help developers understand what information is needed and leave enough time to make adjustments. For viewers, checking a game’s content information before watching a trailer may also help them decide whether it is right for them.
BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip has said that trailers could be considered for future editions of the awards. She noted that any such material would receive editorial consideration and that showing a trailer would not provide a commercial benefit to BAFTA.
Other winners at the 2026 BAFTA Games Awards
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Dispatch were among the standout games at the ceremony, each receiving three awards. The discussion around the withdrawn trailer also raises a broader question for awards events: how to support games about difficult experiences while giving audiences clear, timely information about sensitive content.
The 2026 BAFTA Games Awards trailer decision was specific to this event, according to BAFTA. Developers preparing trailers for live audiences may benefit from confirming content-warning expectations early, while event teams can use advance review to make those warnings visible before a screening.
