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The Golden Joystick Awards 2025, the world’s longest-running video game awards, have returned to celebrate another year of gaming excellence. Voting for the Ultimate Game of the Year (UGOTY) is now open, giving players the chance to decide which title deserves the highest honor. From November 3 to November 7, fans can vote for their favorites and help crown the ultimate winner of 2025.
Absolutely delighted to announce that the phenomenal @maggiethebard will be hosting the #GoldenJoystickAwards! ✨🕹️
Here she is with your Ultimate Game of the Year shortlist… which game should be crowned the winner?
Vote for your game of the year here:… pic.twitter.com/2NybXDbbOI
— Golden Joysticks (@GoldenJoysticks) November 3, 2025
How to Cast Your Vote
People can now explore this year’s UGOTY nominees and start voting here. The separate voting window allows newly released titles from late October and early November to join the competition.
This ensures that major fall and winter releases also get a fair shot at the award. Once you’ve chosen your top three games, simply submit your ballot and register your vote to receive an exclusive reward.
Golden Joystick Awards 2025 – Ultimate Game of the Year Nominees
| Game | Developer | Publisher |
| Split Fiction | Hazelight Studios | Electronic Arts |
| Ghost of Yōtei | Sucker Punch Productions | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| Hollow Knight: Silksong | Team Cherry | Team Cherry |
| Indiana Jones and the Great Circle | MachineGames | Bethesda Softworks |
| Hades II | Supergiant Games | Supergiant Games |
| SILENT HILL f | NeoBards Entertainment Ltd. | KONAMI |
| PEAK | Team Peak | Aggro Crab, Landfall |
| Death Stranding 2: On The Beach | Kojima Productions | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| Kingdom Come: Deliverance II | Warhorse Studios | Deep Silver |
| Blue Prince | Dogubomb | Raw Fury |
| Donkey Kong Bananza | Nintendo EPD | Nintendo |
| Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | Sandfall Interactive | Kepler Interactive |
Voters can select up to three options and rank them in order of preference, with #1 as their favorite.
Key Dates and Ceremony Details
Nominations for the Golden Joystick Awards, powered by MSI, first opened on August 14. Main voting officially closed on October 31, while the UGOTY window remains open until November 7.
This year’s awards ceremony will return as an in-person event at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London, on November 20, 2025. The celebration will honor the best games across more than 20 categories, such as Best Storytelling, Best Indie Game, and Best Soundtrack. Additionally, fans can expect exclusive trailers, surprise guest hosts, and live performances during the ceremony.
Publicly Voted Categories
You can see the full list of publicly voted categories below that were revealed on Friday, October 3.
| Category | Description / Notes | Category |
| Best Storytelling | Celebrating games with exceptional writing and narrative depth. | Best Storytelling |
| Best Multiplayer Game | Honoring the most engaging online or local multiplayer experiences. | Best Multiplayer Game |
| Best Visual Design | Recognizing outstanding art direction and visual creativity. | Best Visual Design |
| Best Indie Game | For standout independently developed games with publisher support. | Best Indie Game |
| Best Indie Game – Self Published | Highlighting the best indie titles published entirely by their creators. | Best Indie Game – Self Published |
| Still Playing Award – PC and Console | Awarded to long-running games with ongoing updates and loyal fanbases. | Still Playing Award – PC and Console |
| Still Playing Award – Mobile | For mobile games that maintain strong communities and regular content updates. | Still Playing Award – Mobile |
| Best Remake / Remaster | Celebrating successful revivals or reimaginings of classic titles. | Best Remake / Remaster |
| Studio of the Year | Recognizing the development studio that defined 2025. | Studio of the Year |
| Best Game Expansion | For exceptional DLC or content expansions that elevate the original experience. | Best Game Expansion |
| Best Audio Design | Awarding games with immersive and technically impressive sound work. | Best Audio Design |
| Best Soundtrack | Honoring outstanding original music and composition. | Best Soundtrack |
| Best Lead Performer | Recognizing a lead actor’s remarkable performance in a video game role. | Best Lead Performer |
| Best Supporting Performer | For exceptional performances in supporting or secondary roles. | Best Supporting Performer |
| PC Game of the Year | The best overall title on PC platforms. | PC Game of the Year |
| Console Game of the Year | The best overall title across console platforms. | Console Game of the Year |
| Best Early Access Game | Highlighting early access titles that made major strides toward completion. | Best Early Access Game |
| Best Gaming Hardware | Celebrating the most innovative or impactful gaming device of the year. | Best Gaming Hardware |
| Best Game Adaptation | For outstanding film, TV, or media adaptations of video game properties. | Best Game Adaptation |
| Best Game Trailer | Recognizing exceptional trailers that capture audience excitement and storytelling. | Best Game Trailer |
| Most Wanted Game | For upcoming titles that players are most eagerly anticipating. | Most Wanted Game |
Claim a Free Gaming eBook
As a special incentive, every voter can claim a free gaming eBook worth up to $18.99 / RM79. The available selection includes The Big Book of Nintendo, 100 PlayStation Games To Play Before You Die, and Retro Gamer Presents: The RPG Book.
After submitting your ballot, just enter your email address and click “Register my Votes” to receive a confirmation. You’ll soon get a message with instructions on how to choose and download your preferred eBook. It’s a simple way to get rewarded for supporting your favorite games.
How the Golden Joysticks Work
Now celebrating its 43rd year, the Golden Joystick Awards remain unique because they’re decided entirely by players. Millions of fans from across the globe vote each year to celebrate their favorite titles and creators.
At the same time, a panel of editors and contributors from GamesRadar, PC Gamer, and Edge Magazine helps finalize the shortlist to ensure fair representation across all genres and platforms. Their collaboration helps maintain the award’s credibility while keeping fan opinion at its heart.
Last Year’s Winners and What’s Next
In 2024, Black Myth: Wukong claimed the Ultimate Game of the Year title, followed by Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth and Helldivers 2. The competition this year looks fiercer than ever, with both indie and AAA studios vying for the spotlight.
Head over to their website before November 7 to cast your vote and take part in deciding the Ultimate Game of the Year 2025. For more updates, follow them on their official X account.
