Bafta win for Vice City

It has car chases, violent shoot-outs, breathtaking stunts and explosions.

They were deemed the best in the business and helped sweep the board at the Baftas.

But this was not a movie, it's the 18-rated computer game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

The games industry is now so full of multi-million-pound, high-octane productions decorated with state-oftheart graphics that it now has its own Bafta ceremony.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was named best PC and PlayStation 2 game as well as winning awards for design, action and sound.

It also won a trophy voted for by readers of a Sunday newspaper.

But Vice City, by Rockstar Games, failed to capture the most sought-after Bafta - for best game on any platform, which went to the World War II action adventure Call Of Duty.

Bafta first presented games awards six years ago in its interactive category but has decided the industry - set to be worth £15billion worldwide by 2015 - now merits its own ceremony.

Grant Dean, chairman of Bafta's interactive committee, said there was now a significant crossover from games to movies. 'I mean, look at Lara Croft. The film industry is looking at games for inspiration, whereas in the past it was the other way around.'

The Oscars and Grammys are believed to be considering holding similar awards to the Baftas.