Indies Shine at Golden Joystick Awards 2024

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

The Golden Joystick Awards, a prestigious celebration of gaming achievements since 1983, is back for its 42nd year on November 21, 2024. Showcasing games released between November 11, 2023, and October 4, 2024, this year's awards place a significant spotlight on indie games, with titles like Balatro and Lorelei and the Laser Eyes receiving multiple nominations.

A notable addition this year is a new category dedicated to self-published indie games, recognizing the growing impact of smaller development teams working independently. This award specifically highlights studios without the backing of larger publishers, acknowledging their contributions to a diverse gaming landscape.

Here's a glimpse at some of the key categories and nominees:

Key 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
• Most Wanted Game: (A comprehensive list of nominees is available on the official website)

(Note: A full list of nominees across all 19 categories can be found on the official Golden Joystick Awards website.)

Fan Voting and Controversy:

Fan voting is currently underway, with the nominees chosen by a jury of prominent gaming journalists and influencers. The voting period runs until November 8th, 2024. A separate "Ultimate Game of the Year" (UGOTY) shortlist will be announced later.

The initial nominee announcement sparked some controversy, with fans expressing disappointment over the omission of certain high-profile titles from the Game of the Year categories. The Golden Joystick Awards organizers addressed the concerns, clarifying that the UGOTY shortlist is yet to be revealed.

Voting participants are eligible to receive a free ebook. The awards ceremony promises a thrilling night celebrating the best in gaming.