The Golden Joystick Awards 2026 are celebrating another year of gaming, inviting players to vote for their favorite titles across a wide range of categories. From emotionally powerful stories and stunning visual design to indie gems and highly anticipated adventures, the awards give the gaming community a chance to recognize the experiences that made the past year special.
Now in its 44th year, the awards will return as an in-person ceremony at Troxy in London on November 11, 2026.
Last year's ceremony saw Sandfall Interactive's Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 take home seven awards, including major recognition for its storytelling and overall impact. This year, a new group of games is competing for the spotlight, and fans will help determine which titles deserve the recognition.
The public voting categories cover a wide range of gaming experiences, from narrative-driven adventures to competitive multiplayer titles and games that keep players coming back for more.
The publicly voted categories include:
- Best Storytelling
- Best Multiplayer Game
- Best Visual Design
- Best Indie Game
- Best Indie Game – Self Published
- Still Playing Award – PC and Console
- Still Playing Award – Mobile
- Best Remake / Remaster
- Studio of the Year
- Best Game Expansion
- Best Audio Design
- Best Soundtrack
- Best Lead Performer
- Best Supporting Performer
- PC Game of the Year
- Console Game of the Year
- Best Early Access Game
- Best Gaming Hardware
- Best Game Adaptation
- Best Game Trailer
- Most Wanted Game
The Ultimate Game of the Year category will be announced separately on October 26.
With categories recognizing everything from soundtracks and performances to independent development, the awards highlight the many creative talents that contribute to memorable gaming experiences.
The Golden Joystick Awards use different eligibility periods depending on the category.
For the main public voting categories, games generally need to have been released between November 1, 2025, and September 25, 2026. Ongoing online games released earlier can still qualify for the Still Playing and Best Game Expansion categories.
The Most Wanted category focuses on upcoming games expected to launch in 2027 or titles with clearly established release windows. Games scheduled to release after November 11, 2026, may be considered.
Ultimate Game of the Year has its own eligibility window, covering games released between November 8, 2025, and October 25, 2026. Some exceptions may apply to games released shortly after the voting window opens if the judging panel has already had sufficient time to evaluate them.
The awards also feature critically selected categories, with eligible games released between November 20, 2025, and November 11, 2026, considered for recognition.
Voting offers an additional reward for participating fans. Everyone who votes in the Golden Joystick Awards 2026 can claim a free ebook worth up to $18.99 from a selection of gaming and retro-themed publications.
Available titles include:
- 100 Retro Games to Play Before You Die
- RG Presents: The Handheld Gaming Collection
- The History of Videogames
- Ultimate Retro PC Gamer Collection
- Everything You Need to Know About Fortnite
- Ultimate Guide to Roblox
To claim the reward, voters must enter their email address and select the “Register my Votes” button after completing the voting process. They will then receive instructions for choosing an ebook from the available selection.
Unlike awards determined entirely by an industry jury, the Golden Joystick Awards place significant emphasis on the gaming community. Millions of players participate each year, voting for the games, developers, publishers, and performers they believe deserve recognition.
The nomination process also involves the games industry. Publishers and other industry participants are invited to submit nominations, giving the judging panel a broad selection of potential candidates to consider.
The final shortlist is selected by a panel comprising editors and contributors from publications and brands including PC Gamer, Future Games Show, Edge, Retro Gamer, and GamesRadar, alongside industry experts.
Not every submitted nomination makes the final shortlist, and the judges may need to leave out popular games when narrowing down the selection. The goal is to represent the year's gaming landscape as broadly as possible while recognizing its most notable achievements.
The Golden Joystick Awards have been running for 44 years, making them one of the longest-running video game award ceremonies. Their community-focused voting gives players an opportunity to celebrate the games that brought them joy, introduced them to new worlds, or created lasting memories with friends.
The 2026 ceremony will take place in London on November 11, bringing developers, performers, industry professionals, and gaming fans together to celebrate the year's achievements.
With awards spanning indie favorites, major releases, creative performances, and upcoming adventures, the competition offers plenty of opportunities to recognize the games that mattered most to players in 2026.
