The 43rd Golden Joystick Awards is delighted to announce the shortlist for this year’s Ultimate Game of the Year award is now live. Voting is LIVE HERE, powered by our voting partner MSI, and will remain open until Friday, November 7, 2025 at 4pm PST / 7pm EST / midnight GMT.
 

Actor Maggie Robertson (Resident Evil Village, Baldur’s Gate 3), will host the awards alongside guest presenters from the world of gaming, including actors Alix Wilton Regan (Cyberpunk 2077), Doug Cockle (The Witcher franchise) and Ciara Berkeley (The Witcher 4); Ben Starr (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33); Shai Matheson (LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight); and many more still to be announced.

Public voting is open for just five days until Friday, November 7
 

The nominations for Ultimate Game of the Year are:
 

• Blue Prince
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
• Donkey Kong Bananza
• Ghost of Yōtei
• Hades II
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
• PEAK
• SILENT HILL f
• Split Fiction

Maggie Robertson, Actor, Resident Evil Village, Baldur’s Gate 3 said:
 

“I am thrilled to announce that I will be hosting the 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards later this month. As the proud owner of one of these prestigious awards, I know how much they mean to the performers and developers who earn them, and also the fans who have been voting in the millions to crown the winners. On November 20, we’re going to take an evening to celebrate the industry’s efforts over the past 12 months in fabulous, glittery fashion. Don’t miss it!”

Daniel Dawkins, Content Director – Games, Video and Digital Events commented:
 

“With a record 21 million votes counted across our initial categories, we’re excited to reveal the final shortlist of games that are in the running for Ultimate Game of the Year. Year over year, it’s amazing to see such diversity in our most prestigious category, which contains AAA blockbusters, but also a growing number of experimental indies made by solo developers and small teams. Now fans from around the world will decide who deserves this honour the most, and who better than the uber-talented Maggie Robertson to lead us through the ceremony. Tune in on November 20 to find out who is taking home this year’s Golden Joystick Awards.”
 

All the winners will be revealed in a celebration of games in London and live-streamed globally on all major streaming platforms on Thursday, November 20, 2025. Viewers can watch the ceremony live via YouTube, Twitch, Steam, Facebook and X as well as Future Games Show, GamesRadar and PC Gamer.
 

For more information visit Golden Joystick Awards 2025 or follow us on Instagram, X and Facebook, #GoldenJoystickAwards.