Have you ever disagreed with Game of the Year lists? Well, now is your chance to help shape them. GamesRadar+ is happy to confirm that voting is live for the 42nd Golden Joystick Awards – where your input will help create conversations around the best video games of the year.
Voting is now live in 19 categories, including ‘Console Game of the Year,’ ‘PC Game of the Year,’ ‘Best Multiplayer Game,’ and more. If you want to have your say, you’ve got until Friday, November 1, to make your opinions heard. This year, new categories have been introduced, such as ‘Best Soundtrack,’ ‘Best Audio Design,’ and ‘Best Indie Game – Self Published,’ as we look to celebrate a wider range of releases from 2024.
Click to vote in the Golden Joystick Awards 2024!
There’s plenty to get through, but here are some highlights you might find interesting. Astro Bot and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth lead the shortlist with five nominations each, followed by Helldivers 2 with four nominations and Balatro with three nominations. Naturally, Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree made the shortlist, as well as scores of other amazing games.
If you’re wondering where ‘Ultimate Game of the Year’ is, don’t worry. That shortlist will go live on Monday, November 4, with voting in that category opening the same day. The winners for all the categories will be revealed in a star-studded award ceremony in central London and live-streamed globally on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
You can check out the full Golden Joystick Awards 2024 categories and shortlists below, and then be sure to head over to the official page to cast your votes. It’s well worth doing – not only will you make your voice heard in the world’s longest-running public-voted games awards show, but you’ll also be able to claim a free gaming ebook created by our friends here at Future.
Golden Joystick Awards 2024 nominations
Best Storytelling
1000xResistEmio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective ClubFinal Fantasy 7 RebirthLike a Dragon: Infinite WealthLorelei and the Laser EyesTactical Breach Wizards
Best Multiplayer Game
Abiotic FactorEA Sports College Football 25Helldivers 2 Sons Of The ForestTekken 8The Finals
Best Visual Design
Astro BotBlack Myth: WukongHarold HalibutMetaphor: ReFantazioSenua’s Saga: Hellblade IIWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Best Indie Game
Animal WellArcoBalatroBeyond GalaxylandConscriptIndikaLorelei and the Laser EyesThank Goodness You’re Here!The Plucky SquireUltros
Best Indie Game – Self Published
Arctic EggsAnother Crab’s TreasureCrow CountryDuck Detective: The Secret SalamiI Am Your BeastLittle Kitty, Big City RivenTactical Breach WizardsTiny GladeUFO 50
Still Playing Award – PC and Console
Apex LegendsCounter-Strike 2EA Sports FC Dota 2FortniteGTA OnlineMinecraftNaraka: BladepointRobloxTom Clancy’s Rainbow Six SiegeValorantWarframe
Still Playing Award – Mobile
Call of Duty: Warzone MobileFree FireHonkai: Star RailRobloxMarvel SnapMonopoly Go!Mini MotorwaysPUBG: BattlegroundsSquad BustersStar Wars: HuntersSubway SurfersThe Sims Mobile
Studio of the Year
11 Bit StudiosArrowhead Game StudiosCapcom Digital EclipseTeam ASOBIVisual Concepts
Best Game Expansion
Alan Wake 2 Expansion PassDestiny 2: The Final ShapeDiablo IV: Vessel of HatredElden Ring Shadow of the ErdtreeGod of War Ragnarök: ValhallaWorld of Warcraft: The War Within
Best Audio Design
Astro BotBalatroRobobeatSenua’s Saga: Hellblade IIStar Wars OutlawsStill Wakes the Deep
Best Soundtrack
A Highland SongAstro BotFinal Fantasy VII RebirthHauntiiSilent Hill 2 Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
Best Lead Performer
Cody Christian as Cloud Strife in Final Fantasy VII RebirthKaiji Tang as Ichiban Kasuga in Like a Dragon: Infinite WealthHumberly Gonzalez as Kay Vess in Star Wars OutlawsLuke Roberts as James Sunderland in Silent Hill 2Melina Juergens as Senua in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade IISonequa Martin-Green as Alvilda in Asgard’s Wrath 2
Best Supporting Performer
Abbi Greenland & Helen Goalen as The Furies in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade IIBriana White as Aerith Gainsborough in Final Fantasy VII RebirthDawn M. Bennett as Aigis in Persona 3 ReloadDebra Wilson as Amanda Waller in Suicide SquadMatt Berry as Herbert in Thank Goodness You’re Here!Neve McIntosh as Suze in Still Wakes the Deep
PC Game of the Year
Animal WellBalatroFrostpunk 2SatisfactoryTactical Breach WizardsUFO 50
Console Game of the Year
Astro BotDragon’s Dogma 2Final Fantasy VII RebirthHelldivers 2Prince of Persia: The Lost CrownThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Best Early Access Game
EnshroudedDeep Rock Galactic: SurvivorHades 2Manor LordsLethal CompanyPalworld
Best Gaming Hardware
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024)Backbone One (2nd Gen)LG UltraGear 32GS95UENvidia GeForce RTX 4070 SuperTurtle Beach Stealth UltraSteam Deck OLED
Best Game Trailer
Caravan Sandwitch – Launch TrailerDeath Stranding 2 On The Beach – State of Play Announce TrailerHelldivers 2 – “The Fight for Freedom Begins” Launch TrailerKingmakers – Official Announcement TrailerSid Meier’s Civilization VII – Narrator Reveal TrailerThe Plucky Squire – Launch Trailer
Most Wanted Game
AtomfallAssassin’s Creed ShadowsSid Meier’s Civilization VIIClair Obscur: Expedition 33DeadlockDeath Stranding 2: On The BeachDoom: The Dark AgesExodusFableGhost of YoteiGrand Theft Auto VIHollow Knight: SilksongIndiana Jones and the Great CircleKingdom Come: Deliverance IILight No FireMafia: The Old CountryMonster Hunter WildsSkate.Slay the Spire 2South of Midnight
Additional category winners – including ‘Breakthrough Award’ and ‘Critics Choice Award’ will be selected by a panel of journalists from brands including gamesradar.com, pcgamer.com, FGS, Edge magazine and Retro Gamer, plus Future’s trusted network of freelance writers. These winners will be revealed on the night.
