Golden Joystick Awards 2026 Winners: Full List and Five Takeaways
Resident Evil Requiem claimed Ultimate Game of the Year as Capcom enjoyed a seven-award night at the Golden Joystick Awards 2026. Here is the complete winners list, the biggest surprises and what the results do—and do not—tell us about The Game Awards.
Golden Joystick Awards 2026 Winners:
Resident Evil Requiem won Ultimate Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards 2026, capping a major night for Capcom. The publisher was connected to seven awards, while MECCHA CHAMELEON matched Resident Evil Requiem with four wins of its own.
The 44th Golden Joystick Awards took place in London on November 11. A total of 25 prizes were presented: 22 were decided by public voting, while Streamers’ Choice, Critics’ Choice and Developers’ Choice were selected separately.
Golden Joystick Awards 2026 winners
| Category | Winner | Selection method |
|---|---|---|
| Best Storytelling | Dispatch | Public vote |
| Best Audio Design | Onimusha: Way of the Sword | Public vote |
| Best Multiplayer Game | MECCHA CHAMELEON | Public vote |
| Best Visual Design | CONTROL Resonant | Public vote |
| Best Game Expansion | DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations | Public vote |
| Best Indie Game – Self-Published | MECCHA CHAMELEON | Public vote |
| Best Indie Game | Valheim | Public vote |
| Best Gaming Hardware | Steam Controller | Public vote |
| Studio of the Year | Capcom | Public vote |
| Best Early Access Game | Subnautica 2 | Public vote |
| Best Soundtrack | Dispatch | Public vote |
| Still Playing – Mobile | Balatro | Public vote |
| Still Playing – PC & Console | Minecraft | Public vote |
| Streamers’ Choice | MECCHA CHAMELEON | Critically chosen |
| Best Game Trailer | Resident Evil Requiem – “Evil Has Always Had a Name” | Public vote |
| Best Remake / Remaster | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered | Public vote |
| Developers’ Choice | MECCHA CHAMELEON | Critically chosen |
| Best Game Adaptation | Iron Lung | Public vote |
| Best Supporting Performer | Grace Saif as Diana in PRAGMATA | Public vote |
| Best Lead Performer | Angela Sant’Albano as Grace Ashcroft in Resident Evil Requiem | Public vote |
| PC Game of the Year | Crimson Desert | Public vote |
| Console Game of the Year | Resident Evil Requiem | Public vote |
| Critics’ Choice | Big Walk | Critically chosen |
| Most Wanted Game | The Witcher 4 | Public vote |
| Ultimate Game of the Year | Resident Evil Requiem | Public vote |
Recommended placement: directly after the full winners table.
1. Resident Evil Requiem delivered the headline victory
Resident Evil Requiem took four awards: Ultimate Game of the Year, Console Game of the Year, Best Game Trailer and Best Lead Performer for Angela Sant’Albano’s performance as Grace Ashcroft.
That combination matters because it stretches beyond a single popularity prize. The game was recognized for its overall appeal, its console release, its marketing and its lead performance. It was the clearest headline winner of the ceremony, even though it did not dominate every category.
Capcom’s success extended beyond Resident Evil Requiem. The publisher won Studio of the Year, Onimusha: Way of the Sword received Best Audio Design and Grace Saif won Best Supporting Performer for her role as Diana in PRAGMATA. In total, Capcom was connected to seven awards.
2. MECCHA CHAMELEON was the breakout story
The most surprising haul belonged to MECCHA CHAMELEON. It won Best Multiplayer Game, Best Indie Game – Self-Published, Streamers’ Choice and Developers’ Choice.
Those four awards came from different perspectives. Two were decided by the public, while Streamers’ Choice and Developers’ Choice were critically selected. That makes the result more interesting than a sweep driven through only one voting route: the game connected with players, creators and developers.
Recommended placement: after the section about MECCHA CHAMELEON.
3. The winners were spread across the industry
Unlike an awards night controlled by one release, the 2026 results were distributed across major publishers, established long-running games and smaller productions.
Dispatch won Best Storytelling and Best Soundtrack. Crimson Desert secured PC Game of the Year, while Big Walk received the Critics’ Choice award. Long-running favorites also remained visible: Minecraft won the Still Playing award for PC and console, and Balatro took the equivalent mobile prize.
CD Projekt Red appeared at both ends of its portfolio. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered won Best Remake / Remaster, while The Witcher 4 was named Most Wanted Game.
4. These are mostly public-vote results
The Golden Joystick Awards describes itself as the longest-running publicly voted gaming awards show. That identity is essential context for the results: 22 of this year’s 25 categories were decided by players.
Public voting measures enthusiasm, community reach and the ability to motivate fans. It does not use the same process as a critics’ poll or an award selected mainly by an industry jury. A game with a large, active audience can therefore perform differently here than it does at another ceremony.
Recommended placement: after the explanation of the public-vote format.
5. What this means for The Game Awards 2026
The Golden Joystick results give us a useful picture of current player enthusiasm, but they are not a direct preview of The Game Awards.
For most categories at The Game Awards, the final result is determined by a 90% voting-jury share and a 10% public fan vote. That is almost the reverse of the Golden Joysticks’ public-led identity. The two events also use different categories, eligibility windows and voting groups.
That means Resident Evil Requiem, MECCHA CHAMELEON and the other winners have momentum, but a Golden Joystick does not guarantee a nomination or victory in December. The safer conclusion is that these games have demonstrated strong audience support immediately before the next awards cycle begins.
Recommended placement: immediately after the comparison with The Game Awards.
The Game Awards 2026 will take place on December 10, with nominees expected in mid-November. Our complete The Game Awards 2026 guide covers the confirmed start time, viewing options, eligibility deadline and voting system. Follow the latest HEET.GG gaming and esports news for the nominee announcement and ceremony coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards 2026?
Resident Evil Requiem won Ultimate Game of the Year. It also received Console Game of the Year, Best Game Trailer and Best Lead Performer.
Which game won the most Golden Joystick awards in 2026?
Resident Evil Requiem and MECCHA CHAMELEON each won four awards. Capcom was connected to seven awards across its games, performers and Studio of the Year victory.
Who won PC Game of the Year?
Crimson Desert won PC Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards 2026.
Who won Most Wanted Game?
The Witcher 4 won Most Wanted Game. The result reflects public voting and should not be treated as a confirmed release-date announcement.
Do the Golden Joystick winners predict The Game Awards?
No. They show which games have strong public support, but The Game Awards uses a different system. Its regular category winners are determined by a 90% jury vote and a 10% public vote.
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