In a damning open letter to the industry, the CEO of Midjiwan, Christian Lövstedt, slammed modern awards ceremonies for the systematic snubbing of mobile games. In his letter, he declares the games industry to be biased and says that mobile gaming suffers because it’s ‘perceived by too many as a world of predatory monetization and low quality.’
This letter follows the publication of the recent BAFTA Games Awards 2026 longlist, on which just one mobile-first or mobile-exclusive title found a spot in the running for nominations.
‘Real Gaming’
Lövstedt’s letter to the wider industry is a scathing one, throwing shade on the major awards shows for repeatedly ignoring the victories of mobile video games. He named the likes of the IGN Awards, the GDC Awards, D.I.C.E., and of course, the BAFTA Games Awards.
D.I.C.E., one of the better award bodies for acknowledging mobile gaming, has only ever nominated a mobile game for Game of the Year twice: Angry Birds HD and Pokemon Go. And they were the only dedicated game awards body to nominate them, despite how commercially and culturally impactful both games are.
Even mobile games from more traditional gaming genres like the RPG Fantasian or puzzle game Grindstone, only got nominated for Best Mobile Game of the Year. Neither were nominated for best of their own genre, or more general categories like best art direction.
It demonstrates that the games industry is biased.
One where mobile is seen as a lesser form of gaming, if it is seen as gaming at all.
Lövstedt’s company, Midjiwan, has developed a game called The Battle of Polytopia, which, in his words, delivers the ‘same meaningful game design that traditional strategy games offer,’ and the title has since come to console and PC platforms, despite being mobile-first.
He wrote:
Awards and media shape the narrative of what counts as culturally or creatively valuable. When mobile is excluded, we send a message to developers, investors, and publishers that mobile is not a place for ambition or artistry. That narrative influences hiring, funding, and who gets the spotlight on stage.
If we celebrate innovation, we should celebrate it everywhere.
If we value creativity, we should value it wherever players find it.
Lövstedt warned of things to come, suggesting that a failure to recognize the ‘largest and most creative platform’ in the industry spells dire things for the wider community. He suggested that ignoring the validity of mobile gaming will just reward ‘a shrinking definition of what counts as ‘real gaming’.’
Do you think mobile gaming deserves more time in the spotlight? Let us know your thoughts on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
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Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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