Golden Joystick Awards 2026 nominees open for public voting
The 44th Golden Joystick Awards has announced the shortlist for its public-voted categories, including ten nominees for PC Game of the Year. The PC list features titles such as Big Walk, Crimson Desert, Escape from Tarkov, Mewgenics, and Valheim, with eligibility limited to games released between November 1, 2025, and September 25, 2026. Voting closes on October 23, and winners will be announced at a November 11 ceremony.
The Golden Joystick Awards are now in their 44th year. Public voting is open for several categories, including PC Game of the Year, Best Storytelling, Best Multiplayer Game, Best Visual Design, and two indie honors. The PC shortlist has ten titles, among them Big Walk, Crimson Desert, Escape from Tarkov, Mewgenics, and Valheim.
Eligible games must have arrived between November 1, 2025, and September 25, 2026, though judges could consider pre-release builds. Ultimate Game of the Year nominees arrive October 26. Voting ends October 23, and winners are revealed November 11. Historically, the awards once split 8-bit and 16-bit categories; in 1988 Operation Wolf and Speedball won those computer prizes.
The shortlist and public vote could shape which games gain visibility during the awards season, potentially benefiting nominated developers and publishers through increased attention. Fans may feel more invested because their choices directly determine winners in several categories. The ceremony and coverage could also influence holiday-season purchasing decisions, though the actual effect on sales, player communities, and industry prestige remains uncertain and likely modest outside dedicated gaming audiences.