Entertainment · Gaming · 2 hrs ago
Ten games shortlisted for 2026 PC Game of the Year award
The shortlist for PC Game of the Year at the 44th Golden Joystick Awards has been announced, and the public can vote.
The 10 nominees are Big Walk, Crimson Desert, Escape from Tarkov, Esoteric Ebb, Meccha Chameleon, Mewgenics, Order of the Sinking Star, Star War Zero Company, The Blood of Dawnwalker and Valheim.
Eligible games had to be released between November 1, 2025, and September 25, 2026, though judges could consider some pre-release versions.
Voting is also open in categories including Best Storytelling, Best Multiplayer Game and Best Indie Game.
Votes close on October 23 at midnight BST, and winners will be announced at a ceremony on November 11.
The nominees for Ultimate Game of the Year are due to be revealed on October 26, when voting in that category will open.
The 10-game shortlist for the 2026 Golden Joystick Awards’ PC Game of the Year category has been announced.
The awards are in their 44th year, and voting in the publicly voted categories is open.
Eligible games had to be released between November 1, 2025, and September 25, 2026, unless judges could access a pre-release version before the deadline.
Voting closes on October 23, and the winners will be revealed at a ceremony on November 11.
- Who
- The Golden Joystick Awards announced the shortlist. Voters can choose the winner.
- What
- Ten games were shortlisted for PC Game of the Year.
- When
- The shortlist was announced by October 12, 2026. Voting closes October 23.
- Where
- Voting is available through GamesRadar.
- Why
- The awards recognize games in publicly voted categories, including PC Game of the Year.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
The eligibility period for games began.
The eligibility period ended, except for games whose pre-release versions were made available to judges before the deadline.
The shortlist for publicly voted categories was announced, and voting was open.
Voting closes at 4pm PT, 7pm ET, or midnight BST.
Nominees for Ultimate Game of the Year are due to be revealed, and voting in that category will open.
The winners will be revealed at a ceremony.
- Shortlist size
- 10 games
- Award
- 2026 Golden Joystick Awards PC Game of the Year
- Awards edition
- 44th annual
- Voting deadline
- October 23 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET / midnight BST
- Ceremony
- November 11
Sources
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