• The Golden Joystick Awards 2026 nominations have been announced
• Voting is open now until October 23, with winners to be revealed on November 11
• The nominations include some of our favorite games of the year, including 007 First Light

The nominees for the 44th annual Golden Joystick Awards have been officially announced across 21 categories, with games like and 007 First Light leading nominations.

Public voting is now live and will remain open until October 23 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET / 0:00am BST. Fans can vote for their favourite games of 2026 in 21 categories, including Console Game of the Year, PC Game of the Year, Most Wanted Game, and more.

Winners will be revealed during the ceremony on November 11, with the Ultimate Game of the Year shortlist to be announced on October 26.

"With the hugely-anticipated set to launch a week after our live show, the 44th annual Golden Joystick Awards is delighted to share its most diverse and creative nominees line-up yet," said Daniel Dawkins, content director of Golden Joystick Awards at Future.

"Indie hits , and Mina the Hollower sit alongside AAA blockbusters such as 007 First Light, and . This year, no single game dominates the field, this is one of our most open and unpredictable years yet - making your vote more influential than ever in deciding our winners. We’re thrilled to debut a new look for the Golden Joystick Awards, embracing the iconic joystick trophy that traces all the way back to our inception in 1983. Gaming has changed so much in the following 43 years, but not the creativity and determination of those who sacrifice so much to share the games we love so much."

The Golden Joystick Awards 2026 - Nominations

Console Game of the Year

• 007 First Light
• LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
• Onimusha: Way of the Sword

PC Game of the Year

• Escape from Tarkov
• Order of the Sinking Star
• The Blood of Dawnwalker

• Onimusha: Way of the Sword

• Dead as Disco
• skate.
• Slay the Spire 2

• Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven
• DAVE THE DIVER - In the Jungle Content Pack
• DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations
• Quake: Dawn of the Machine
• The Alters: Last Variable
• World of Warcraft: Midnight

• x Top Gun: Carrier Strike Cinematic Trailer
• - Release Date Announcement
• MOUSE: P.I. For Hire | Official Launch Trailer
• Prove You'r - Announcement Trailer
• - Evil Has Always Had A Name

• Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II

• Mouse: P.I. for Hire
• Order of the Sinking Star

Best Indie Game - Self-published

• Fields of Mistria
• Mina the Hollower
• Perfect Tides: Station to Station
• The Incident at Galley House
• Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors

• Aaron Paul - Robert Robertson III,
• Angela Sant'Albano - Grace Ashcroft,
• Anna Demetriou - Sophia, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy
• Liam McIntyre - Wolverine,
• Patrick Gibson - James Bond, 007 First Light
• Will de Renzy-Martin - Coen, The Blood of Dawnwalker

• Frankie Kevich - Zoe de Vera,
• Grace Saif - Diana,
• Lennie James - John Greenway, 007 First Light
• Terry O'Quinn - Richard,
• Troy Baker - Nathaniel Essex,
• Vic Michaelis - Runa Blask,

• Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
• Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.2
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered
• Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter

• 007 First Light

• 007 First Light
• The Blood of Dawnwalker
• ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies

• Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy

• God of War Laufey
• The Expanse: Osiris Reborn
• The Witcher 4
• Tides of Annihilation
• Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

• Sky: Children of the Light
• Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Mobile

Still Playing - PC & Console

• World of Warcraft
• Call of Duty: Warzone

Studio of the Year

The best gaming consoles