For over 30 years the Golden Joystick Awards (also known as the People’s Gaming Awards- so named because it is YOU, the public, who votes for the winners) has been blessing us with a ‘Best Of’ collection like no other. With the next generation of consoles being released over the next few months, this year’s stakes are higher than ever as each company seeks to leave our current beloveds behind with a bang.
You can vote for your most treasured here, up until the end of September. This year’s awards are as follows:
Best Newcomer- Your favourite original title
Best Online Game- The most exciting MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online)
Best Indie- Best game from an independent studio
Best Handheld Game- Recognising talent on smaller, portable devices
Best Storytelling- What game drew you in most? *
Best Multiplayer- Offline multiplayer you love to get your friends round for
Best Mobile Game- Favourite game you play while you’re waiting for someone (or avoiding making eye-contact with someone)
Best Visual Design- Find a particular game so pretty you had to take a moment? Vote for it!
Best Platform- Here’s where THAT debate really comes into play. XBox exultant? PS3 patron? You can vote for these or any others!
Best Moment- You’re probably not the only one who was verging on tears or in danger of falling off your seat. If one moment stands out for you, here is where you can vote in recognition.
Innovation of the Year- What brand-spanking technology re-sparked your interest in gaming this year? Show them what impacted you most
Studio of the Year- Studio’s across the globe put themselves out every year to create the latest must-have game. Which one do you think has really done the industry proud?
Youtube Gamer- Do you have a go-to guy every time you get stuck? Someone who really cracks you up? Or just someone you feel yourself nodding along to, while they rant about the latest news in gaming? Surely, you know what to do, by now
Most Wanted- If you could only get one thing next year- be it console, game or peripheral- what would it be?
Ultimate Game of the Year- All the AAA games fight it out amongst each other while you, the ever-targeted audience, decide which game was your favourite from the past year.
So there you have it, in as much of a non-bias way as I can put it. Vote carefully, for each winner will gain full bragging rights over a competitive and outstanding year. And, of course, I’ll be letting you know who the winners are, after they are broadcast on 26th October.
* Writers Note: This is the hardest one to choose, in my humble opinion