Golden Joysticks 2026 Nominations Feature Dispatch and Exclude GTA 6

The Golden Joysticks 2026 awards have released their final list of twelve nominees for the Ultimate Game of the Year category. The list omits Grand Theft Auto 6, a title that many expect to dominate the upcoming The Game Awards ceremony. Instead, the ceremony features a roster that includes Dispatch, a title that launched in late October of last year. This distinction separates the Golden Joysticks from other major industry events that are likely to center their voting around the latest Rockstar release.

The complete slate of contenders includes 007 First Light, Big Walk, Control Resonant, Crimson Desert, Dispatch, Forza Horizon 6, Phantom Blade Zero, Pokémon Pokopia, Pragmata, Resident Evil Requiem, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, and The Blood Of Dawnwalker. A reader named Silver medal noted that Phantom Blade Zero appeared on the list despite its release date being scheduled for October 29, 2026. The reader acknowledged that award shows often operate under their own specific eligibility rules.

Community reactions focused heavily on the absence of Capcom’s Onimusha: Way Of The Sword. One observer pointed out that its exclusion prevented Capcom from securing three nominations in this single category. Despite the omission, the general consensus among the letters was that the current lineup remains strong. Silver medal identified three front runners for the top spot: 007 First Light, Resident Evil Requiem, and Star Wars: Galactic Racer. The reader expressed a personal preference for Resident Evil Requiem but admitted the decision was a close call against the James Bond title.

Other readers turned their attention to specific franchise trajectories. A contributor known as PhantomZ criticized the current state of the Resident Evil narrative, calling the storylines messy and inconsistent. The reader highlighted the long absence of character Jill Valentine from mainline entries, noting her last appearance in a primary title was Resident Evil 5. That release occurred nearly two decades ago. The letter urged developers to give the character a starring role in the next installment and to ensure the plot makes logical sense.

Discussions also touched on the future of BioWare. A reader identified as Nimble argued that the studio’s shutdown cannot be blamed entirely on its parent company, Electronic Arts. The letter suggested that BioWare originated the live-service concept for its game Anthem, a project that failed to meet expectations. The reader noted that the studio has not produced a hit title in over a decade. This context framed the recent corporate decisions as a response to long-standing performance issues rather than a sudden shift in strategy.

The next major industry event is The Game Awards, where Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to be a central figure. The Golden Joysticks ceremony will proceed with its current list of twelve nominees. Readers can submit their own opinions and letters to the publication via email for future inclusion in the column.