The Golden Joystick Awards have released their list of nominees for 2026, giving players a clear roadmap for the upcoming voting period. This announcement matters because it defines the specific titles that will compete for the industry's most popular honors this year. Gamers can now identify which games are considered top contenders before the voting window opens.
Voting opens for the 2026 Golden Joystick Awards with 007: First Light and Big Walk leading
The 007: First Light and Big Walk titles lead the pack with five nominations each. These two games dominate the early field, signaling strong player engagement across different genres. Other notable titles receiving three nominations include Resident Evil: Requiem, Meccha Chameleon, Mewgenics, The Blood of Dawnwalker, Valheim, and Saros. This distribution highlights a competitive field with several strong contenders for the top spots.
Voting for most categories runs until October 23, giving players a short window to cast their ballots. The Ultimate Game of the Year award operates on a separate schedule, with voting open from October 26 to 30. The final ceremony will take place in London on November 11, where the winners will be revealed. This timeline ensures that player votes are collected well before the live event.
Grand Theft Auto VI is not in the running for any awards this year, a fact explicitly stated in the source material. The list of nominees for the Ultimate Game of the Year award will be announced later, leaving that category open for future updates. This separation allows the awards to focus on currently available titles while reserving the ultimate honor for a broader selection.
Source: IXBT
