Golden Joystick Awards 2026

The 44th annual Golden Joystick Awards took place in London on November 11, 2026, marking the longest-running publicly-voted video game awards show, which debuted in 1983 with Jetpac as its first Game of the Year. The ceremony featured 25 awards across dozens of games, with nearly all categories decided by fan votes and four determined by a panel of critics and creators: Streamers' Choice, Developer's Choice, and Critics' Choice.

Capcom's Resident Evil Requiem claimed the top honor, Ultimate Game of the Year, along with Console Game of the Year, Best Game Trailer, and Best Lead Performer for Angela Sant'Albano's portrayal of Grace Ashcroft. PC Gamer's Elie Gould had previously scored the game 92%, describing it as feeling "like you're playing a highlight reel of the best moments in the series."

Pearl Abyss's Crimson Desert won PC Game of the Year, a result PC Gamer noted as surprising given its multiplatform release. Reviewer Mollie Taylor gave it an 80% score, calling it "vast and obtuse in a way that is going to frustrate some and exhilarate others" and "a fascinating journey, even when the destination isn't all that."

The indie multiplayer hide-and-seek title Meccha Chameleon was the night's most decorated game with four wins: Best Multiplayer Game, Best Indie Game (self-published), Streamers' Choice Award, and Developer's Choice Award. Dispatch earned two awards for Best Storytelling and Best Soundtrack.

CD Projekt Red's The Witcher franchise secured two victories: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered won Best Remake/Remaster, while The Witcher 4 took Most Wanted Game. The awards show, which began as a small ceremony handing out five trophies, has grown into one of the year's biggest gaming events watched by millions across streaming platforms worldwide.