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Pong. Tetris. Skyrim. Some of most influential video games of all time. But a Czech game released just two months ago has already joined their ranks, according to a new poll conducted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, which only released on Feb. 4, 2025, has been named the seventh most influential video game of all time in the BAFTA poll. The results were published ahead of the 21st annual BAFTA Games Awards, set to take place on April 8.
BAFTA posed a single question to the public: What do you think is the most influential game of all time? While the number of respondents was not disclosed, the list of results highlights the impact of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, which surpassed landmark titles like World of Warcraft, The Sims, and Half-Life 2.
Authenticity, immersion key to Kingdom Come's success
The only Czech entry in the ranking, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II follows the story of Henry of Skalitz, a blacksmith’s son navigating the political and military turmoil of early 15th-century Bohemia.
The sequel takes players through detailed historical locations such as the Bohemian Paradise and Kutná Hora. Developed by Prague-based Warhorse Studios, the game is known for its emphasis on historical authenticity, player-driven narrative, and immersive world-building.
Released in February for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, the game has received favorable reviews from critics and players alike. According to industry tracker VG Insight, sales are nearing 3 million copies, just two months after launch.
"Not even two months old, the most recent entry in our list has clearly attracted a vocal and supportive fanbase," writes BAFTA, noting that the term 'immersive' appeared more frequently in responses regarding the Czech title than any other game in the survey.
"If its future impact has yet to be determined, this historical RPG has already left a mark on its players—as one put it, 'It gives me hope for the future of gaming.'"
Though highly ranked in the public poll, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is not eligible for this year’s BAFTA Games Awards due to its recent release date. It will have to wait to 2026 to reap in any awards.
Czech game joins iconic titles in global poll
The top spot in the BAFTA survey was taken by Shenmue, a 1999 Japanese game recognized for blending multiple genres and introducing gameplay elements that have become standard in open-world titles like Kingdom Come and Grand Theft Auto.
Other titles ahead of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II included Minecraft, the original Half-Life (Half-Life 2 came in at number 9), Super Mario Bros., and Doom—often credited with popularizing the first-person shooter genre.
Last year’s BAFTA ceremony was dominated by Baldur’s Gate 3, which won five awards including Game of the Year. Despite its broader commercial success and 11 nominations in 2024, it placed 16th in this year’s public poll—nine spots below Kingdom Come.
This year’s BAFTA Games Awards nominees for Best Game include Black Myth: Wukong, Helldivers 2, and Astro Bot. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II will compete for the top awards in next year's ceremony.
See the full list of BAFTA's most influential video games of all time here.
