Golden Joystick 2026: Capcom's horror hit crowned
· BehindLines newsroom
The horror game Resident Evil Requiem won game of the year and three other trophies at the 44th Golden Joystick Awards, which, according to the BBC, honour the year's most popular games. According to the BBC, the ceremony took place on Wednesday.
Four trophies for Requiem
According to GamesIndustry.biz, Resident Evil Requiem took the "ultimate" game of the year title and console game of the year, as well as best trailer. The BBC adds that Angela Sant'Albano was recognised as best lead performer, playing Grace Ashcroft. This instalment, the ninth in the series according to GamesIndustry.biz, released in February according to the BBC, gathered 17% of the public vote for the top prize, ahead of The Blood of Dawnwalker, Control Resonant, Crimson Desert and Phantom Blade Zero, the BBC notes.
Seven awards for Capcom
The Japanese studio Capcom received seven awards in total, according to GamesIndustry.biz, including studio of the year, a title the BBC also mentions. The studio is also honoured for Onimusha: Way of the Sword, best audio design, and for Pragmata, for which Grace Saif received the award for best supporting performer.
The other winners
The indie game Meccha Chameleon, a multiplayer game of hide-and-seek where you paint yourself to match the scenery, won four prizes: best self-published indie game, best multiplayer game, streamers' choice and developers' choice, according to both outlets. Dispatch, from the studio AdHoc, won for best storytelling and best soundtrack. Crimson Desert is PC game of the year, Subnautica 2 is best early access game and Control Resonant received the award for best visual design, according to GamesIndustry.biz. The critics' choice prize went to Big Walk, from the Australian studio House House.
A largely popular vote
The BBC explains that 25 categories were in competition and that 22 of them are decided by a vote of the worldwide public, while the streamers', critics' and developers' choice awards are, it says, decided by critics.
Why it matters
This list of winners brings together big productions and indie games: 22 of the 25 categories were settled by the worldwide public vote, according to the BBC.