Full Breakdown
Golden Joystick Awards 2025: Ultimate Game of the Year Nominees Announced
11/4/2025, 11:30:41 PM
Overview of the Nominees
The 43rd Golden Joystick Awards has unveiled its shortlist for the Ultimate Game of the Year (UGOTY) category, featuring 12 titles competing for the prestigious honor. The nominees include a mix of indie gems and major franchise entries, such as *Hollow Knight: Silksong*, *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*, *Death Stranding 2: On The Beach*, *Donkey Kong Bananza*, *Ghost of Yotei*, *Hades II*, *Indiana Jones and the Great Circle*, *Kingdom Come: Deliverance II*, *Peak*, *Silent Hill f*, *Split Fiction*, and *Blue Prince*. The winners will be announced during a ceremony in London on November 20, 2025.
Key Dates and Voting Process
Voting for the UGOTY is currently open and will close on November 7, 2025, at 4 PM PST (7 PM EST/12 AM GMT). Fans can vote for their top three games, ranking them in order of preference. The awards ceremony will be streamed live across multiple platforms, including YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook.
Ceremony Details
The event will be hosted by actress Maggie Robertson, known for her role as Lady Dimitrescu in *Resident Evil Village*. Alongside her, presenters will include notable figures from the gaming industry, such as Doug Cockle from *The Witcher* series and Alix Wilton Regan from *Cyberpunk 2077*. Robertson expressed her excitement, stating, “As the proud owner of one of these prestigious awards, I know how much they mean to the performers and developers who earn them.”
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the excitement surrounding the nominees, some critics have pointed out notable absentees from the list, including *Monster Hunter Wilds*, *Mario Kart World*, and *Sword of the Sea*, which also received positive reviews in 2025. This has sparked discussions among fans about the selection process and the representation of various genres.
Official Statements & Responses
The Golden Joystick Awards are unique in that they are entirely decided by public vote, allowing millions of fans to participate in recognizing their favorite titles. The collaboration between fans and a panel of editors from *GamesRadar*, *PC Gamer*, and *Edge Magazine* aims to ensure a fair representation across all genres and platforms.
What's Next
As the voting window approaches its conclusion, anticipation builds for the ceremony on November 20, where the UGOTY winner will be revealed. The event promises to celebrate the best in gaming over the past year, with exclusive trailers and live performances expected.
Verbatim Quotes
- “as the proud owner of one of these prestigious awards, I know how much they mean to the performers and developers who earn them.” — Maggie Robertson, Host of the Golden Joystick Awards
- “MORE FOR YOU 2025 Golden Joystick Awards Ultimate Game of the Year nominees in full Blue Prince Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Donkey Kong Bananza Ghost of Yotei Hades II Hollow Knight: Silksong Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Peak Silent Hill f Split Fiction It’s refreshing to see such a bulletproof crop of games after a less competitive year for the Golden Joysticks’ GOTY frontrunners in 2024 , which ultimately saw Black Myth: Wukong triumph after a massive public vote.” — Matt Gardner, Forbes
The Golden Joystick Awards continue to be a significant event in the gaming calendar, reflecting the evolving landscape of video games and the passionate community that supports them.
