Game of the Year
Ongoing coverage on Game of the Year.
Latest coverage
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has sold 8.7 million copies and made $366 million, analyst says, and that's despite the…
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has achieved significant commercial success, selling 8.7 million copies and generating $366 million, with a strong performance on Steam despite its availability on PC Game Pass. Analysts suggest that its inclusion in subscription services like Xbox Game Pass, while potentially cannibalizing direct sales, ultimately increased its overall reach and player base.
Golden Joysticks opens console GOTY voting—and it’s already snubbed some of this year’s best titles
The Golden Joysticks awards have opened their voting for Console Game of the Year, but the selection has already drawn criticism for omitting several highly acclaimed titles from the year. This has sparked discussion about the validity and inclusivity of such industry awards.
Mixtape wins three awards at Australian Game Developer Awards 2026, including GOTY
Beethoven & Dinosaur's Mixtape won Game of the Year, Excellence in Art, and Excellence in Sound Design at the Australian Game Developer Awards 2026. Judges lauded the title as a "triumph in virtual storytelling." Other notable wins included Tempo Lab Games' Bits & Bops for Excellence in Gameplay and Accessibility, and Uppercut Games taking home Studio of the Year.
PS5 Metroidvania Game Gets Perfect Reviews, New PlayStation GOTY Contender
The upcoming PlayStation 5 Metroidvania game Silver Pines has received near-perfect reviews, with critics praising its immersive blend of survival horror, Twin Peaks-inspired mystery, and atmospheric world. Developed by Wych Elm Games and published by Team17, the title is considered a strong contender for Game of the Year.
Forget what PC Gamer said: The Witcher 3 will always be my 2015 GOTY
This article argues that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt remains the definitive Game of the Year for 2015, even after its recent remaster. The author praises the graphical enhancements and minor gameplay tweaks of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered, comparing the experience to returning home. The upcoming DLC, Songs of the Past, is also mentioned as a reason to revisit the game.
Baldur's Gate 3 star and Game of the Year magnet Jennifer English joins Ghostrunner devs' new first-person…
Valor Mortis, an upcoming first-person Soulslike from Ghostrunner developer One More Level, has announced Jennifer English and James Alexander as part of its cast. English, known for her roles in Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring, is playing The Shrike, while Alexander voices protagonist William Dowsett. The game is set to launch in October.
GTA 6's Game of the Year Chances Have Been Called Into Question
Grand Theft Auto 6's eligibility for Game of the Year awards is being questioned, potentially impacting its chances at events like The Game Awards. The article suggests that the game's release timing might exclude it from consideration.
GTA 6 will not be eligible to complete Baldur's Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's 'Big 5'…
Grand Theft Auto 6 will not be eligible to win a 'Big 5' Game of the Year award sweep in the upcoming season due to its November 19 release date, which falls after the Golden Joystick Awards ceremony. Baldur's Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are the only studios to have achieved this feat within a single awards season. While Grand Theft Auto 6 may still win individual awards, it cannot replicate the specific sweep achieved by the other titles.
A remake of a 20-year-old cult JRPG is now the best-rated game of 2026, pushing aside Resident Evil Requiem, Pokemon…
A remake of the 20-year-old cult JRPG, Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter, has become the best-rated game of 2026, surpassing major releases like Resident Evil Requiem and Pokemon Pokopia. The game has achieved high scores on Metacritic and OpenCritic, highlighting the growing popularity of Nihon Falcom's Trails series.
Morning Esports and Competitions
The review strategy for Grand Theft Auto 6 could significantly impact the Game of the Year race at The Game Awards. Early reviews and their timing may influence public perception and voting.
We’re halfway through 2026: Here are our contenders for Game of the Year so far
This article presents a list of contenders for Game of the Year for the first half of 2026. It highlights games that have made a significant impact in the first six months of the year.
Looks like there's no firm favourite for 2026's GOTY just yet, though there are two standouts
As 2026 progresses, the race for Game of the Year is still wide open, with no clear frontrunner among players. Resident Evil Requiem and Crimson Desert are currently the top two contenders based on a reader poll, though many participants felt none of the provided options were their definitive choice. The article highlights various other games receiving votes, including 007 First Light, Slay the Spire 2, and Marathon.
Poll: What's Your PS5 Game of the Year for 2026 So Far?
This article discusses the strong first half of 2026 for PlayStation 5 games and solicits reader input for their Game of the Year so far. It notes the abundance of quality titles from various developers and publishers, suggesting the final Game of the Year vote will be highly competitive, unless Grand Theft Auto 6 dominates the discussion.
Sunday Esports and Competitions
The article discusses how Summer Game Fest has made significant changes that will impact the 2026 Game of the Year race. These changes are expected to influence the competitive landscape and how games are perceived for the award.
Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake is going to beat GTA 6 for Game of the Year - Reader’s Feature
A reader suggests that the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time could contend for Game of the Year, potentially rivaling Grand Theft Auto 6. The article speculates on the remake's graphical potential and its release window, positioning it as a major holiday title that Nintendo will release regardless of other major game launches.
Poll: Vote for Your PS5 Game of the Month (May 2026)
Push Square is holding its Game of the Month poll for May 2026, asking readers to vote for their favorite PlayStation 5 release. Notable titles from the month include 007 First Light and LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, alongside smaller, well-received games like Mixtape and Mina the Hollower.
PS5 Players Can Now Try 2026 GOTY Contender for Free
PlayStation 5 players can now try the survival horror game Resident Evil Requiem for free through a newly released demo. The demo, available on the PlayStation Store without requiring PlayStation Plus, features a portion of the game's opening with playable characters Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy. Resident Evil Requiem has been a strong performer since its release, selling millions of copies and positioning itself as a Game of the Year contender.
New PS5 Action Game Gets Stellar Reviews, Enters GOTY Discussion
The new PlayStation 5 action game 007 First Light, developed by IO Interactive, has launched to critical acclaim with an average score of 89 on OpenCritic. Critics praise its masterful translation of the James Bond fantasy into a 14-hour globetrotting epic, with some calling it the best James Bond game ever made. The game follows a young James Bond's rise through MI6 and is considered a strong contender for Game of the Year.
Morning Esports and Competitions
South of Midnight was the big winner at the Canadian Game Awards 2026, taking home numerous accolades including Game of the Year. The article also touches on broader esports and competition news.
Issues and Activism
The game Mixtape is being discussed as a potential Game of the Year contender, but concerns about its toxic content may hinder its chances at The Game Awards. The article explores whether the game's mature themes and potentially offensive elements disqualify it from major awards.