It is almost that time of the year again. Gaming awards season is fast approaching, which means that the debating and discussing over what everyone thinks is this year’s Game of The Year is about to really get underway. That said, it has been a busy 2023, so it won’t be easy. There are quite a few amazing games that may fit that criteria.
Nevertheless, nominees for The Golden Joystick Awards 2023 have been announced today, along with confirmation that voting is now live. However, it is worth noting that the nominees for Ultimate Game of the Year Award, Best Performer, and Best Supporting Performer won’t be announced until October 23rd. Voting for these categories will begin on the same day. You’ll have until October 27th, 4 days later, to vote.
As for the nominees that have been announced today, there were quite a few. Baldur’s Gate 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom had the most nominations, with each game getting nominations in 4 categories. You can see a full list of the nominees that have been announced down below. The awards ceremony begins on November 10th.
Best Audio
Stray Gods
Hi-Fi Rush
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
Starfield
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
Final Fantasy XVI
Best Storytelling
Baldur’s Gate 3
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood
Armored Core VI: Fires Of Rubicon
Oxenfree II: Lost Signals
PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Best Game Community
Final Fantasy XIV
Warframe
Baldur’s Gate 3
Deep Rock Galactic
Dreams
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
Best Game Expansion
Power Wash Simulator DLC
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom
The Case of the Golden Idol Mysteries: The Lemurian Vampire and Spider of Lanka
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania
A Little to the Left: Cupboards & Drawers
Best Gaming Hardware
PlayStation VR2
Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Headset
Alienware 34 AW3423DWF
Nitro Deck
ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96
Samsung 990 PRO
Best Indie Game
Dave the Diver
Pizza Tower
Dredge
Cocoon
Viewfinder
Sea of Stars
Best Multiplayer Game
Exoprimal
Diablo IV
Street Fighter 6
Remnant II
Mortal Kombat 1
We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip
Best Visual Design
Baldur’s Gate 3
Starfield
Hi-Fi Rush
Viewfinder
Lies Of P
Street Fighter 6
Nintendo Game of the Year
Pikmin 4
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
Fire Emblem Engage
Metroid Prime Remastered
Octopath Traveller II
Fae Farm
PC Game of the Year
Baldur’s Gate 3
Diablo IV
Dave the Diver
Tchia
System Shock
Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew
PlayStation Game of the Year
Final Fantasy XVI
Resident Evil 4
Street Fighter 6
Humanity
Armored Core VI: Fires Of Rubicon
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Xbox Game of the Year
Starfield
Chants of Sennaar
Hi-Fi Rush
Planet of Lana
Dead Space
Pentiment
Still Playing Award
No Man’s Sky
Genshin Impact
The Sims 4
Fortnite
Naraka Bladepoint
GTA Online
Warframe
Valorant
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive / Counter-Strike 2
Apex Legends
Dota 2
Call of Duty
Studio of the Year
Larian Studios
Digital Eclipse
Nintendo EPD
Mimimi Games
Remedy Entertainment
CD Projekt Red
Best Game Trailer
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty – Official Cinematic Trailer
Alan Wake 2 – The Dark Place Gameplay Trailer
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Official Trailer #3
Baby Steps Reveal Trailer
Mortal Kombat 1 – Official It’s In Our Blood Trailer
Dave the Diver – Official Release Month And Accolades Trailer
Most Wanted Game
Death Stranding 2
Star Wars Outlaws
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Tekken 8
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Hades II
Fable
Hollow Knight: Silksong
EVERYWHERE
Frostpunk 2
ARK 2
METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER
Persona 3 Reload
Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Pacific Drive
Black Myth: Wukong
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin
Returning in 2023 Best VR Game
C-Smash VRS
Horizon Call of the Mountain VR
Synapse
Vertigo 2 VR
F1 23 VR
The Light Brigade
Cool to see Persona 3 Reload nominated for Most Wanted.
Im somewhat surprised that Spiderman 2 isn’t on the most wanted list.
How is the Xenoblade 3 DLC (literally 92 on Metacritic) not included in the best expansion section?
To add onto Andrew’s question, why isn’t Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in the “Still Playing Award” section? It’s had an active playerbase since April 2017 AND is still getting DLC til the holiday season. What? Did they miss the bloody boat? (Jack Dawson would like to switch places, if so. (Ifykyk.)
It’s all corporate politics. In no way does The Sims 4 deserve a slot in any awards category
it isn’t surprising that sonic frontiers isn’t there, is it Donnie? 😂😂😂😂😂
The Golden Joystick Awards nominees this year really highlight how varied and dynamic the gaming world has become. Long-running series continue to innovate, while new releases push the boundaries of storytelling, graphics, and gameplay. I have noticed that cosmetic items and in-game collectibles are shaping the community experience in a big way. For example, https://cs2.ad/case/recoil-case shows current trends in popular skins and how the surrounding market operates. Paying attention to these aspects provides a broader perspective on gaming, showing that it is not only about playing but also about understanding the culture, design, and evolving interests of players.