Renowned Japanese composer and pianist Yoko Shimomura is set to be honored with the prestigious Fellowship at the BAFTA Games Awards on Tuesday, 8 April 2025. This accolade, the highest honor bestowed by the arts charity, recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games, or television.
Celebrating a Musical Pioneer
Yoko Shimomura is celebrated for her iconic video game music scores, including those for the Kingdom Hearts series, Final Fantasy XV, and Xenoblade Chronicles. Her work has defined eras and captivated millions of players worldwide. Shimomura’s compositions for games such as Mario & Luigi, Streets of Rage, the Mana series, Super Mario RPG, Live A Live, Radiant Historia, Parasite Eve, Breath of Fire, and Street Fighter II have left an indelible mark on the gaming industry.
Expressing her gratitude, Shimomura said, “I am absolutely delighted to receive such an amazing and prestigious award as this, although, honestly speaking, I still cannot quite believe it. I am who I am today thanks to all the people who have supported me, allowing me to continue being involved with the music that I love and discovering the medium of games where that music can flourish. I am deeply grateful to everyone in the games industry, to those who ask me to write my music and to all those who listen to it. I would like for them, and for everyone who has been a part of my life, to join with me in celebrating this award. Thank you so much.”
Recognizing Exceptional Contributions
Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, remarked, “It is a real privilege to honor Yoko Shimomura with the BAFTA Fellowship this year. A pioneer of video game music, pianist, and composer, Yoko has created unforgettable soundtracks for so many beloved games and paved the way for women in the industry at a time when it was overwhelmingly male-dominated. Her groundbreaking work has already inspired countless artists and will continue to resonate for generations. We look forward to honoring her at the 21st BAFTA Games Awards.”
Shimomura graduated from the Osaka Junior College of Music, Department of Instrumental Music (piano), and is now a freelance composer, having previously worked for esteemed video game companies Capcom and Square Enix (formerly known as Square). Her works span a wide range of genres, from rhythmical computer-generated sounds to large-scale classical orchestral pieces. She is particularly well-known for her melodious and poignant songs, as well as her intense and dramatic pieces.
Honoring Industry Greats
Previous recipients of the BAFTA Fellowship include Shuhei Yoshida, Warwick Davis, Hideo Kojima, Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Martin Scorsese, Gabe Newell, Siobhan Reddy, Helen Mirren, Tim Schafer, Shigeru Miyamoto, John Carmack, Peter Molyneux, and Thelma Schoonmaker.
The award will be presented to Shimomura at the 21st annual BAFTA Games Awards on Tuesday, 8 April at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London.
The ceremony will be streamed live on BAFTA’s YouTube and Twitch channels, starting at 7pm BST / 11am PT / 2pm ET. Comedian and video games enthusiast Phil Wang will host the event, entertaining an audience filled with industry greats.
