Key takeaways
- Resident Evil Requiem won Ultimate Game of the Year with 17% of the public vote (Beebom)
- Phantom Blade Zero placed second with 16% and Crimson Desert third with 15% (Beebom)
- Capcom won Studio of the Year and Crimson Desert won PC Game of the Year (Beebom, PC Gamer)
- Meccha Chameleon won four awards, including Best Multiplayer Game and Developer's Choice (Beebom)
- The Witcher 4 was voted Most Wanted Game (Beebom)
Capcom's Resident Evil Requiem won Ultimate Game of the Year at the 2026 Golden Joystick Awards, held on November 11, 2026. It took 17% of the public vote, just ahead of Phantom Blade Zero on 16% and Crimson Desert on 15%. Capcom also won Studio of the Year.
Who won the biggest awards?
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Ultimate Game of the Year | Resident Evil Requiem |
| Console Game of the Year | Resident Evil Requiem |
| PC Game of the Year | Crimson Desert |
| Studio of the Year | Capcom |
| Critics' Choice | Big Walk |
| Most Wanted Game | The Witcher 4 |
| Best Storytelling | Dispatch |
| Best Multiplayer Game | Meccha Chameleon |
| Best Indie Game | Valheim |
| Best Indie Game (Self-Published) | Meccha Chameleon |
| Best Game Expansion | Doom: The Dark Ages Revelations |
| Best Remake/Remaster | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered |
| Best Early Access Game | Subnautica 2 |
| Best Gaming Hardware | Steam Controller |
Requiem finished with four awards in total: Ultimate Game of the Year, Console Game of the Year, Best Game Trailer for "Evil Has Always Had a Name" and Best Lead Performer. That matched Meccha Chameleon's haul, making the two the joint leaders on the night.
What were the other results?
Meccha Chameleon was the night's other big name, also winning Streamer's Choice and Developer's Choice for four awards in total. Dispatch won Best Soundtrack alongside Best Storytelling. Onimusha: Way of the Sword took Best Audio Design and Control Resonant won Best Visual Design.
- Best Lead Performer: Angela Sant'Albano as Grace Ashcroft in Resident Evil Requiem
- Best Supporting Performer: Grace Saif as Diana in Pragmata
- Best Game Trailer: Resident Evil Requiem
- Still Playing (PC and Console): Minecraft
- Still Playing (Mobile): Balatro
- Best Game Adaptation: Iron Lung
How are winners chosen?
Most Golden Joystick categories are decided by public vote, which is why the Ultimate Game of the Year margins were published as vote shares. The ceremony is one of the first big awards shows of the year-end season.
What does it mean for the year's GOTY race?
The top three in the fan vote were separated by two percentage points, so there was no runaway favorite among voters. Phantom Blade Zero came within one point of the top prize but does not appear among the category winners, while Crimson Desert turned its third-place finish into the PC award.
FAQ
What won Game of the Year at the Golden Joysticks 2026?
Resident Evil Requiem won Ultimate Game of the Year with 17% of the public vote.
Who won PC Game of the Year at the 2026 Golden Joysticks?
Crimson Desert won PC Game of the Year.
When were the Golden Joystick Awards 2026?
The ceremony was held on November 11, 2026.
Sources
See our editorial policy.