Resident Evil Requiem Secures Ultimate Game of the Year at Golden Joysticks
Capcom dominates the 44th annual awards ceremony with multiple wins across major categories.
1Top Award Secured
Resident Evil Requiem claimed the Ultimate Game of the Year title at the 44th Golden Joystick Awards. The title secured 17% of the public vote, narrowly defeating Phantom Blade Zero at 16% and Crimson Desert at 15%. This victory marks the first major industry accolade for the game in 2026.
2Capcom's Massive Success
Capcom enjoyed a dominant night, securing seven total awards including the prestigious Studio of the Year. Beyond the flagship Resident Evil win, the company received recognition for Best Audio Design with Onimusha: Way of the Sword and Best Supporting Performer for Grace Saif’s role as Diana in the game Pragmata.
3Individual Performance Honors
Angela Sant'Albano earned the Best Lead Performer award for her portrayal of Grace Ashcroft in Resident Evil Requiem. The game also received the Best Game Trailer award. These wins highlight the strong narrative and promotional impact of the ninth franchise installment, which resonated deeply with the voting public this year.
4Diverse Category Winners
The awards recognized a wide range of titles beyond the main Resident Evil success. Dispatch, developed by AdHoc, secured both Best Storytelling and Best Soundtrack. Meanwhile, Remedy’s Control Resonant was honored for Best Visual Design, and Unknown Worlds’ Subnautica 2 took home the award for the Best Early Access Game.
5Indie and PC Recognition
Meccha Chameleon achieved significant success, winning four categories including Best Indie Game, Best Multiplayer, Streamer's Choice, and Developer's Choice. In the PC sector, Pearl Abyss’s Crimson Desert was named PC Game of the Year. These results reflect the diverse preferences of the gaming community across different platforms and development scales.
6Public Voting Dynamics
Most Golden Joystick categories are decided by public vote, making the close race for Ultimate Game of the Year particularly notable. While Resident Evil Requiem led the pack, other titles like Big Walk received the Critics' Choice award. The Witcher 4 was also highlighted as the most anticipated upcoming game.
7Player and Critic Reception
Community feedback remains mixed regarding the balance of action versus horror in Resident Evil Requiem. While many praise the opening sections as franchise highlights, some players expressed concerns about the pacing of the later Leon-focused chapters. Despite these critiques, the game maintains strong momentum for future end-of-year award ceremonies.
8Industry Landscape Outlook
The 2026 awards ceremony underscores Capcom's continued influence in the gaming industry. With major titles like GTA 6 currently ineligible due to release schedules, the field remains competitive. As the year progresses, the industry will look toward upcoming releases to see if Resident Evil Requiem maintains its current top position.