The Golden Joystick Awards 2024: Indie Games Shine Bright

The Golden Joystick Awards, celebrating gaming excellence since 1983, returns on November 21, 2024, for its 42nd year, honoring games released between November 11, 2023, and October 4, 2024. This year's awards showcase a significant rise in recognition for indie games, with titles like Balatro and Lorelei and the Laser Eyes receiving multiple nominations.

A total of 19 categories are up for grabs, including a brand-new category specifically for self-published indie developers. This category highlights indie games developed and published by smaller teams, acknowledging the evolving definition of "indie" and celebrating developers without the backing of major publishers.

Here's a glimpse at some of the nominated games across various categories:

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

(Note: A full list of nominees across all categories is available on the official website.)

Voting and Controversy:

Fan voting is now open! The nominees were chosen by a jury including representatives from prominent gaming publications. Voting runs until November 8th, 2024. A separate "Ultimate Game of the Year" award will be announced later.

The announcement of nominees sparked some controversy, with fans expressing disappointment over the omission of certain titles, notably Black Myth: Wukong, from the Game of the Year categories. The Golden Joystick Awards organization responded by clarifying that the Ultimate Game of the Year shortlist is yet to be revealed.

Voting participants can also receive a free ebook.