The Golden Joystick Awards 2024: A Celebration of Gaming Excellence, with a Focus on Indie Titles
The Golden Joystick Awards, celebrating gaming's finest since 1983, returns on November 21st, 2024, for its 42nd year. This year's awards, recognizing games released between November 11th, 2023, and October 4th, 2024, showcase a remarkable surge in indie game recognition, with titles like Balatro and Lorelei and the Laser Eyes receiving multiple nominations.
A new category, "Best Indie Game - Self Published," highlights the growing impact of independent developers who handle both development and publishing. This category specifically acknowledges teams lacking the backing of larger publishers, expanding the definition of "indie" games and celebrating their contributions to the industry.
Here's a glimpse at some of the key categories and their nominees:
Key Award Categories and Nominees:
- Best Soundtrack: A Highland Song, Astro Bot, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Hauntii, Silent Hill 2, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
- Best Indie Game: Animal Well, Arco, Balatro, Beyond Galaxyland, Conscript, Indika, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, Thank Goodness You’re Here!, The Plucky Squire, Ultros
- Best Indie Game - Self Published: Arctic Eggs, Another Crab’s Treasure, Crow Country, Duck Detective: The Secret Salami, I Am Your Beast, Little Kitty, Big City, Riven, Tactical Breach Wizards, Tiny Glade, UFO 50
- Console Game of the Year: Astro Bot, Dragon’s Dogma 2, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Helldivers 2, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
- PC Game of the Year: Animal Well, Balatro, Frostpunk 2, Satisfactory, Tactical Breach Wizards, UFO 50
- Most Wanted Game: (A comprehensive list of nominees is available on the official website)
(A full list of nominees across all 19 categories can be found on the official Golden Joystick Awards website.)
Fan Voting and Controversy:
Fan voting is now open! The nominees were initially selected by a jury panel including prominent gaming publications. Voting is accessible through the official website. A separate "Ultimate Game of the Year" (UGOTY) shortlist will be revealed on November 4th, with voting from November 4th to 8th, 2024. Games released after October 4th, 2024, remain eligible for "Best Performance" and UGOTY.
A notable online discussion has arisen regarding the omission of certain fan-favorite titles, such as Black Myth: Wukong, from the initial Game of the Year nominations. The Golden Joystick Awards organization clarified that the UGOTY shortlist is yet to be announced, addressing fan concerns.
Voting participants are eligible to receive a free ebook.
