The 2026 video game awards season kicked off with the 44th Golden Joystick Awards ceremony, held on the evening of November 11. The main event of the night was the victory of Capcom's survival horror game Resident Evil Requiem, which won the ultimate 'Game of the Year' award based on player votes. In the race for the top accolade, Requiem edged out Phantom Blade Zero and Crimson Desert, among other highly anticipated releases of the year.
Players Decide Everything: The Voting Format
Unlike several major awards, including The Game Awards, the winners of the Golden Joystick Awards 2026 were primarily determined by the players themselves. A panel of judges only distributed awards in two categories: 'Critics' Choice' and 'Developers' Choice.' This approach makes the ceremony's results an indicator of mainstream perception rather than solely expert evaluation.
Two Leaders in Number of Awards
Two projects secured four trophies each for the evening: the acclaimed hide-and-seek game Meccha Chameleon and the action-horror Resident Evil Requiem. Requiem not only claimed 'Game of the Year' but also gathered the highest number of awards among all nominees. Additionally, Capcom was named Studio of the Year, cementing the company's status as a central industry player in 2026.
CD Projekt Red and AdHoc Studio Among Winners
AdHoc Studio, creators of the superhero comedy Dispatch, and CD Projekt Red each took home two statuettes. The Polish studio was recognized for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt remaster and the yet-unreleased The Witcher 4, highlighting strong audience interest in the Witcher universe ahead of a major new release.
Context: What We Know About Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem is the ninth main installment in the franchise, released on February 27, 2026, across multiple platforms including PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox. According to industry media, the game features mixed gameplay styles, the notable return of Leon S. Kennedy, and has received high optimization with a rating of around 85%. Its victory at the Golden Joystick Awards confirms it as one of the standout releases of the first half of 2026.
Thus, the Golden Joystick Awards 2026 concluded with Capcom's decisive victory in the primary category and awards distributed among several strong titles. The ceremony's results set the tone for the upcoming awards season, where Resident Evil Requiem, Meccha Chameleon, and The Witcher 4 are expected to be major contenders for other prestigious accolades.
