The 2026 video game awards season has officially commenced, with the Golden Joystick Awards revealing its Ultimate Game of the Year nominees. This year's slate, featuring 12 contenders, notably excludes The Coalition's highly anticipated sci-fi shooter, Gears of War: E-Day.
The nominated games for the Ultimate Game of the Year category are: 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.
Voting for the Golden Joysticks, which spans 21 categories, is currently open to the public. Winners will be announced during a live ceremony on November 11. Geoff Keighley's The Game Awards are scheduled to follow on December 10.
One curious inclusion is Phantom Blade Zero, which is slated for release on October 28, just two days before public voting for Game of the Year concludes. While this date falls outside the typical eligibility window, the awards page indicates that exceptions can be made. Grand Theft Auto 6, meanwhile, missed the nomination window for GOTY but will be eligible for the "Most Wanted" category.
The omission of Gears of War: E-Day has drawn attention, with some observers pointing to a potential "Xbox tax." While the selection is subjective, and many of the chosen titles are strong contenders, the absence of the visually impressive shooter has sparked discussion among players and critics as the awards season gets underway.