Golden Joystick Awards 2025: Nominations and Voting Open

The Golden Joystick Awards 2025 has officially opened voting across 21 categories, including Best Storytelling, Best Multiplayer Game, and the newly introduced Best Remake/Remaster. Leading the nominations is *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*, a debut title from Sandfall Interactive, which has received six nominations, including Studio of the Year. Close contenders include *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach*, *Ghost of Yotei*, and *Kingdom Come: Deliverance II*, each with four nominations.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Leads the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 Nominations43rd Golden Joystick Awards Nominees Announced, Voting OpenClair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads the Golden Joystick Award 2025 charge for most nominations, nudging out Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2The 43rd Golden Joystick Awards shortlist is out, and just looking at the indie list alone, I can tell it's going to be a tough year

*Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* is nominated for several awards, notably Best Storytelling, Best Visual Design, and Best Soundtrack. Jennifer English and Ben Starr have been recognized for their performances in the game, nominated for Best Leading Performer and Best Supporting Performer, respectively. Other notable titles in the nominations include *Hollow Knight: Silksong*, *Sword of the Sea*, and *Peak*, which also received multiple nominations.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Leads the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 Nominations

Voting is open until October 31, 2025, at 5 PM PDT / 8 PM EDT / midnight GMT. The shortlist for the "Ultimate Game of the Year" will be announced on November 3, 2025, with voting for that category commencing the same day. The winners will be revealed during the awards ceremony on November 20, 2025, which will be live-streamed globally.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads the Golden Joystick Award 2025 charge for most nominations, nudging out Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Daniel Dawkins, Content Director of the Golden Joystick Awards, remarked on the competitive nature of this year's nominations, stating, "2025 is our most hotly-contested and unpredictable awards yet." He emphasized the evolving landscape of gaming, where indie titles frequently dominate discussions and player engagement. The awards aim to celebrate the best in gaming, allowing players to recognize the hardware, individuals, and virtual worlds that resonate with them.

The 43rd Golden Joystick Awards shortlist is out, and just looking at the indie list alone, I can tell it's going to be a tough year

While the awards celebrate gaming achievements, some critics argue that the focus on popular titles may overshadow lesser-known indie games that also contribute significantly to the industry. The introduction of new categories, such as Best Remake/Remaster, has been met with mixed reactions, with some questioning whether it dilutes the recognition of original content.

The 43rd Golden Joystick Awards shortlist is out, and just looking at the indie list alone, I can tell it's going to be a tough year

• “2025 is our most hotly-contested and unpredictable awards yet,” — Daniel Dawkins, Content Director of Golden Joystick Awards

The 43rd Golden Joystick Awards shortlist is out, and just looking at the indie list alone, I can tell it's going to be a tough year

• “As gaming evolves, so do our categories, with the creation of a new award for Best Remake/ Remaster,” — Daniel Dawkins, Content Director of Golden Joystick Awards

The 43rd Golden Joystick Awards shortlist is out, and just looking at the indie list alone, I can tell it's going to be a tough year

The Golden Joystick Awards 2025 promises to be a significant event in the gaming calendar, showcasing a diverse array of titles and allowing players to have their say in recognizing excellence in the industry. With the voting period now open, the anticipation builds for the announcement of the winners and the Ultimate Game of the Year shortlist.

The 43rd Golden Joystick Awards shortlist is out, and just looking at the indie list alone, I can tell it's going to be a tough year