Bafta has announced the shortlist for this year's Audience Award, the sole publically-voted category at the Academy's annual video game awards ceremony.

Sponsored by retail chain, Game, the Audience Award features ten of last year's biggest games, selected by a group of specialist magazine journalists. Gamers will now be able to vote on their favourite title via the official site. The list was announced by YouTube gaming sensation (it says here) Syndicate.

Here's the shortlist in full:

* Batman: Arkham City
* Battlefield 3
* Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
* Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
* FIFA 12
* LA Noire
* The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
* Minecraft
* Portal 2
* Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Game fans are already noting in forums that the shortlist compilers found no space for Namco's cult hit Dark Souls or thoughtful cyberpunk adventure Deus Ex: Human Revolution. From this list, it's likely that Modern Warfare 3 will emerge as the favourite – Call of Duty: Black Ops claimed the prize last year, with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 winning the year before that.

The ceremony takes place on 16 March, with other categories including best art, story, music and multiplayer decided by a range of judging panels. The shortlists for those will be announced soon.