The anticipation is building as the 42nd Golden Joystick Awards invites gaming enthusiasts to cast their votes for their favorite titles across various categories, including PC Game of the Year and Console Game of the Year. The voting period is open until Friday, November 1, at 4 PM PDT/7 PM EDT/11 PM GMT, giving fans a full month to deliberate on their choices.
Celebrating a Remarkable Year in Gaming
Content director Daniel Dawkins reflected on the past year, noting, “2023 was one of video gaming’s best years ever, with Baldur’s Gate 3 and Larian Studios claiming a record seven trophies at last year’s Golden Joystick Awards.” He acknowledged the challenges faced by the gaming industry in 2024 but emphasized the rich variety and diversity of releases that have made this year’s nominees particularly compelling.
Among the standout contenders are Ultros for Best Indie Game, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree for Best Game Expansion, and Lethal Company for Best Early Access Game. With such a wealth of exceptional titles, the competition promises to be fierce.
“Above all, this could be a year of BIG surprises—who saw Palworld, Helldivers 2, or Balatro coming?” Dawkins added, expressing excitement for the upcoming voting process. “We can’t wait to see who you vote for as your games, studios, and personalities of 2024!”
Introducing New Categories
This year, the Golden Joystick Awards also introduces a couple of fresh categories, including the Still Playing awards and a new indie game category aimed at clarifying the definition of what constitutes an indie game. The Self-published category is designed to better reflect the diverse pathways through which games reach the market, according to Dawkins.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for November 21 in central London and will be livestreamed for fans worldwide. However, it’s important to note that voting for the Ultimate Game of the Year, arguably the most prestigious category, will not open until November 4, coinciding with the announcement of the shortlist of contenders.
