Barnsley pair’s ‘love letter to Yorkshire’ scoops BAFTA Games Award

Two friends from Barnsley have taken home a BAFTA Games Award for their quirky comedy adventure set in a fictional northern town.

Thank Goodness You’re Here, described as “reyt proper Yorkshire” and “the most northern game ever”, won the best British game category at the ceremony in London on Tuesday.

The cartoon-esque title was released in August and created by Will Todd and James Carbutt, founders of developer Coal Supper.

“To go from a stupid idea we had one weekend all the way to this stage is quite literally, really nice,” Mr Carbutt told attendees.

Players control a tiny, silent character through the streets of Barnsworth and tackle a series of surreal odd-jobs given to them by local residents.

Mr Todd said: “It’s been such a privilege to be able to make this game true to our vision and hopefully true to our hometown, without any compromises.”

After receiving the award, they thanked their publisher, Panic, along with the team that worked on the game.

Thank Goodness You’re Here features voice performances from the pair, as well as actor Matt Berry.

Voice actress Em Humble, who voiced multiple characters including Marge from Marge’s Chippy, described the game as “crazy, colourful and funny”.

“It’s nice for a northern game to be celebrated and for people to find it funny,” she said.

“It just shows that people want games and entertainment from loads of different places – and places you don’t hear from as often.”

Speaking to the BBC after the ceremony, Mr Todd said they were “very surprised” to win the award.

“We’ve never done it before, so we’re still kind of getting used to it,” he said.

Mr Todd said the pair came up with ideas for games by sitting in a room while “screaming obscenities to each other, and then the magic happens”.

“I think it might’ve won the respect of my parents, finally,” he joked.

The Bafta Games Awards 2025 was dominated by Astro Bot, winning five awards including best game.