Here’s how to vote in this year’s Golden Joystick Awards

By Jon Silman Published October 2, 2020

Voting is open for the 38th annual Golden Joystick Awards, the biggest public-voted video game awards ceremony in the world. This year, the ceremony will completely online.

“Last year the Golden Joystick Awards were held in central London with awards being handed out to developers who had flown in from all around the globe. This year the event will be a truly global, all-digital, affair with a variety of exciting guest hosts, exclusive game trailers, and editorialized video features,” Daniel Dawkins, content director of games and film at Future, said in a statement.

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The awards started in 1983 and were originally open to the general public in Britain. Now, everyone around the world can vote.

Here’s some more information about the event.

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When are the Golden Joystick Awards?

The ceremony takes place in November, with a specific date to be announced soon.

How can I watch the Golden Joystick Awards?

The awards will be viewable from a few different places. The main way to watch is on the Golden Joystick Awards Twitch channel, and people interested can also check the official Twitter and Facebook accounts for more information.

What are the different categories in the Golden Joystick Awards?

There are several different publicly voted categories in the awards ceremony. The games were decided by a panel of judges in the industry. Categories include:

Best Audio
Best Game Community
Best Game Expansion
Best Gaming Hardware
PC Game of the Year
Best New / Streamer Broadcaster
Best Storytelling
Best Visual Design
Best Multiplayer Game
Best Indie Game
Esports Game of the Year
Mobile Game of the Year
Most Wanted Game
Nintendo Game of the Year
Xbox Game of the Year
PlayStation Game of the Year
Best Family Game
Still Playing Award
Best Studio
Ultimate Game of the Year
Best New Streamer
Ultimate Game of the Year

A judging panel will decide other categories, which include:

Outstanding Contribution
Breakthrough Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
Critics’ Choice Award
Best Performer

How do I vote in the Golden Joystick Awards?

People interested in voting can do so at www.goldenjoysticks.com, and voters will be eligible for a free gaming e-book when they vote. The voting ends on November 2.

The judging panel is made up of “senior editors and journalists from brands such as PC Gamer, Edge Magazine, Official PlayStation Magazine, GamesRadar+, TechRadar, Tom’s Guide, T3 Magazine, Official Xbox Magazine, and more,” according to a press release.

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Key art for The Game Awards 2023.

Ten years ago, Geoff Keighley's The Game Awards began, and it's once again returning later today to celebreate the hard work of developers in one of the best years for quality video games ever. Plus, it will feature trailers for games coming out soon and reveal some titles we haven't heard about before. We know all the category nominees now, so you might wonder where and when you'll need to tune in to get the full The Game Awards 2023 experience later today. We've rounded up all that information right here so you can set aside time to watch and set your expectations for The Game Awards 2023.
When is The Game Awards 2023
The Game Awards 2023 starts with a 30-minute pre-show at 4:30 p.m. PT today, December 7. The main show is then expected to begin at around 5:00 p.m. PT. The Game Awards tend to last anywhere from three to four hours, depending on the length of the award acceptance speech and developer conversations, which are done live. In a recent live stream, Geoff Keighley said he hopes this year's event is a bit shorter.
How to watch The Game Awards 2023
THE GAME AWARDS 2023: Official 4K Livestream (TODAY at 7:30p ET/4:30p PT/12:30a GMT)

The Game Awards 2023 will be streaming on lots of platforms today. Official channels will host the event livestream for free across YouTube, Twitch, X, Facebook, Steam, TikTok, Instagram, and even Kick. We've embedded the YouTube version of the livestream above so you can watch it right from this article. You can also expect co-streams and reaction streams from websites like IGN and GameSpot as well as content creators. If you can't tune in while the awards show is airing, a VOD of the event is always posted to YouTube afterward, as are individual segments and trailers. If you're in China, India, South Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, or Germany, alternate streaming options are also outlined on The Game Awards' website.
What to expect from The Game Awards 2023
As is typically the case with this show, The Game Awards 2023 will mix in lots of game reveals and trailers between all of the awards. When it comes to Game of the Year, we're wondering if Alan Wake 2, Baldur's Gate 3, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Resident Evil 4, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, or The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will win. As for the announcements happening at the show, below is a list of every game confirmed to be at The Game Awards 2023. We'll continue to update it as more titles are teased:

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El Paso, Elsewhere's main character leans on the hood of a car.

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Released for PC and Xbox on September 26, this indie is a narrative-focused action game inspired by games like Max Payne. While it looks like a thrilling shooter that’ll make you feel like a badass on the surface, it also tells a more compelling story about relationships and abuse. It’s one of the best games of the year and now something that might go very overlooked by general audiences as it’s not nominated at The Game Awards 2023. If you haven’t given it a shot yet, I urge you to check it out before the end of the year.
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El Paso, Elsewhere's old-school third-person shooter gameplay might seem derivative at first glance, but it actually takes the formula those classic Max Payne games established and executes it better than it ever has been. The game intuitively makes me feel like a badass whenever I walk into a room and take some enemies down during a slow-motion dive. Still, players can’t ever go in completely guns-blazing, as each weapon has limited ammo. That makes each level a delicate ballet of dodging enemies and switching between guns, and that only intensifies with each new level.

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Key art for The Game Awards 2023.

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