Honestly, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 voting felt like a fever dream for most of us who grew up clutching a plastic controller. We’re talking about the world’s longest-running public-voted games awards show. It's been around since 1983. That is basically ancient history in tech years. Most people think these awards are just some corporate pat on the back, but they’re wrong. This is the "People’s Gaming Awards." If you didn't cast your ballot during the windows in October and November 2025, you missed out on the only time the industry actually has to listen to the people who buy the games, not just the critics sitting in ivory towers.
2025 was a weirdly competitive year. It wasn't just about the massive AAA blockbusters. We saw indie titles—or "III" games as some people call them now—absolutely wrecking the status quo.
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The Timeline: When Everything Went Down
The whole machine started moving back in August 2025 when the industry nominations opened. But for the rest of us? The real action began on October 3, 2025. That was the day the shortlists dropped. Suddenly, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 voting was live across 21 different categories.
You had until October 31 to make your picks for things like:
- Best Storytelling (where Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was already turning heads)
- Best Multiplayer Game
- PC Game of the Year
- Best Visual Design
Then, there was the "Big One." The Ultimate Game of the Year (UGOTY).
The organizers do this smart thing where they keep the UGOTY voting separate. It opened on November 3 and stayed open until November 7. Why? Because it gives everyone a chance to breathe and actually play the big winter releases that drop right at the end of the year. You can’t judge a game of the year if you haven’t even finished the first act, right?
Why This Year Felt Different
There was a lot of noise about whether Hollow Knight: Silksong would actually show up. Guess what? It did. It lead the pack alongside Ghost of Yōtei and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
The Underdog Domination
You've probably noticed that indies are no longer just "the side dish." In the 2025 awards, games like Blue Prince and PEAK weren't just nominated to fill space. They were genuine contenders. The voting reflects a shift. Gamers are tired of the same $70 open-world loops. They want something weird. Something that feels like it was made by humans, not a board of directors.
The Categories You Might Have Overlooked
Most people jump straight to Game of the Year. But look at Best Game Adaptation. With Arcane Season 2 and The Last of Us Season 2 on the ballot, the competition was brutal. It’s a sign of where we are. Gaming isn't just a hobby anymore; it’s the backbone of entertainment. We also saw categories like Best Gaming Hardware, which, let’s be real, was basically a showdown for the Nintendo Switch 2.
How the Voting Actually Works (No, It’s Not Rigged)
I hear it every year. "Oh, the big publishers just buy the wins."
Not really. The Golden Joysticks are powered by public votes. Millions of them. In 2024, they saw over 12 million votes. For 2025, that number climbed even higher. The voting is hosted on GamesRadar+ and usually requires a verified email to prevent botting. It’s a fairly transparent system, though it does favor games with massive, vocal fanbases. That's why you see Grand Theft Auto VI winning Most Wanted Game practically every time it’s eligible—the hype is just a mathematical certainty at this point.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Joysticks
The biggest misconception is that the awards ceremony on November 20 is the only thing that matters.
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The ceremony at 8 Northumberland Avenue in London is the flashy part. Maggie Robertson and Ben Starr (who hosted this year) are great. But the real data is in the voting trends. Developers look at these results. If a specific genre—say, turn-based RPGs like Clair Obscur—suddenly sweeps five categories, you better believe other studios are going to pivot their 2027 roadmaps to match that energy.
Real Insights for Future Voting
If you want your vote to count for 2026 or beyond, you have to be tactical.
- Don't skip the niche categories. Your vote for Best Audio Design carries way more weight than your vote for UGOTY because fewer people participate there.
- Watch the "Still Playing" category. This is where games like Minecraft or Genshin Impact live. It's the best way to tell developers that you value long-term support over a one-and-done release.
- Check the Critically Selected awards. Some categories like the "Critics' Choice" or "Breakthrough Award" are chosen by a panel of journalists from PC Gamer and Edge. It's a nice contrast to the public's picks.
Actionable Steps for Gamers
The 2025 cycle is wrapped up, but the cycle never truly ends. If you want to stay ahead of the curve:
- Follow the Shortlists: Keep an eye on the GamesRadar+ portal starting in August of each year.
- Register for the Industry Newsletter: If you work in the trade, you can get early access to nomination forms.
- Play the Winter Releases Early: Since the Ultimate Game of the Year voting happens in a tiny window in early November, try to clear your backlog of October releases quickly. You don't want to be the person voting for a game you've only seen on YouTube.
The Golden Joystick Awards 2025 voting proved that the community still has the power to crown a king. Whether it was the cinematic haunting of Ghost of Yōtei or the mechanical perfection of Silksong, the results are a permanent record of what we actually cared about this year. Now, keep an eye on those 2026 release dates—the next voting cycle starts sooner than you think.
Next Steps to Stay Informed:
- Bookmark the official Golden Joysticks portal on GamesRadar+ for the 2026 announcement dates.
- Review the full 2025 winners list to see which studios are currently leading the industry's creative direction.
- Sign up for the Future Games Show newsletter to get notifications when the next public nomination window opens.