Indie Games Shine at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards

The Golden Joystick Awards 2024: A Celebration of Gaming Excellence, with a Focus on Indie Titles

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

A total of 19 categories are featured, notably including a new award for self-published indie developers. This category highlights the growing significance of indie games developed and published by smaller teams, acknowledging their contributions without the backing of major publishers.

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

Key Categories and Nominees (Partial List):

• 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
• Most Wanted Game: This category features a wide array of anticipated titles, including Assassin's Creed Shadows, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Grand Theft Auto VI.

Fan Voting and Controversy:

Fan voting is currently open on the official website, with a jury comprised of representatives from leading gaming publications selecting the nominees. The Ultimate Game of the Year (UGOTY) nominees will be announced later. The omission of several fan favorites, such as Black Myth: Wukong, from the initial Game of the Year nominations has sparked considerable online debate. The Golden Joystick Awards organization has clarified that the UGOTY shortlist is yet to be revealed.

Voting for the main awards runs from November 4th to 8th, 2024. A free ebook is offered as an incentive for participation.