Golden Joystick Awards 2023 Unveils Outstanding Winners

The much-anticipated Golden Joystick Awards 2023 unfolded on Friday, November 10, marking the return of an in-person event in London after a hiatus since 2019. The 41st edition of the awards, simultaneously live-streamed worldwide, provided a platform to acknowledge and honor outstanding contributions across the video game industry. From captivating gaming experiences to the creative minds shaping virtual worlds, the event celebrated the diverse talents that enrich the gaming landscape.

Record-Breaking Triumph for Baldur’s Gate 3

This year’s Golden Joystick Awards witnessed a historic triumph for Larian Studios’ masterpiece, Baldur’s Gate 3. The game secured an unprecedented seven awards, solidifying its position as a standout in various categories. Among the accolades, Baldur’s Gate 3 claimed the prestigious Ultimate Game of the Year (UGOTY) title. Additionally, Larian Studios, the visionary force behind the game, was honored with the esteemed Studio of the Year award.

Global Participation and Record Votes

A testament to the widespread enthusiasm and engagement within the gaming community, this year’s Golden Joystick Awards recorded an exceptional number of votes. Millions of gaming enthusiasts worldwide participated in selecting their favorite games across more than a dozen categories. The diverse array of categories ensured recognition for various aspects of the gaming industry, celebrating the collective efforts that contribute to the immersive and dynamic world of video games.

The Full Roster of Golden Joystick Awards 2023 Winners

The Golden Joystick Awards 2023 showcased a diverse range of winners across multiple categories, reflecting the richness and vibrancy of the gaming landscape. While Baldur’s Gate 3 dominated with its seven awards, numerous other deserving titles and contributors were acknowledged for their exceptional contributions. The complete list of winners stands as a testament to the exceptional talent and creativity prevalent in the gaming industry.

As the gaming community revels in the success of the Golden Joystick Awards 2023, it serves as a reminder of the passion, dedication, and innovation that continue to drive the evolution of video games. Each award represents not just a recognition of individual achievements but a celebration of the collective impact that the gaming industry has on global entertainment and culture.

Here is the full list of all Golden Joystick Awards 2023 winners:

Best Storytelling

• Baldur’s Gate 3 (winner)
• The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood
• Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon
• Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals
• Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo
• Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Still Playing Award

• No Man’s Sky (winner)
• Genshin Impact
• The Sims 4
• Fortnite
• Naraka Bladepoint
• GTA Online
• Warframe
• Valorant
• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive / Counter-Strike 2
• Apex Legends
• Dota 2
• Call of Duty

Best Visual Design

• Baldur’s Gate 3 (winner)
• Starfield
• Hi-Fi Rush
• Viewfinder
• Lies of P
• Street Fighter 6

Studio of the Year

• Larian Studios (winner)
• Digital Eclipse
• Nintendo EPD
• Mimimi Games
• Remedy Entertainment
• CD Projekt Red

Best Game Expansion

• Power Wash Simulator DLC
• Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (winner)
• The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom
• The Case of the Golden Idol Mysteries: The Lemurian Vampire and Spider of Lanka
• Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania
• A Little to the Left: Cupboards & Drawers

Best Indie Game

• Dave the Diver
• Pizza Tower
• Dredge
• Cocoon
• Viewfinder
• Sea of Stars (winner)

Best Multiplayer Game

• Exoprimal
• Diablo 4
• Street Fighter 6
• Remnant 2
• Mortal Kombat 1 (winner)
• We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip

Best Audio

• Stray Gods
• Hi-Fi Rush
• Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
• Starfield
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
• Final Fantasy 16 (winner)

Best Game Trailer

• Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty – Official Cinematic Trailer (winner)
• Alan Wake 2 – The Dark Place Gameplay Trailer
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Official Trailer #3
• Baby Steps Reveal Trailer
• Mortal Kombat 1 – Official It’s In Our Blood Trailer
• Dave the Diver – Official Release Month And Accolades Trailer

Best Game Community

• Final Fantasy 14
• Warframe
• Baldur’s Gate 3 (winner)
• Deep Rock Galactic
• Dreams
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Best VR game

• C-Smash VRS
• Horizon Call of the Mountain (winner)
• Synapse
• Vertigo 2 VR
• F1 23 VR
• The Light Brigade

Best Gaming Hardware

• PlayStation VR2 (winner)
• Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Headset
• Alienware 34 AW3423DWF
• Nitro Deck
• ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96
• Samsung 990 PRO

Breakthrough Award

Cocoon / Geometric Interactive

Critics’ Choice Award

Alan Wake 2

Best Streaming Game

Valorant

Best Lead Performer

• Ben Starr – Clive Rosfield in Final Fantasy 16 (winner)
• Yuri Lowenthal – Peter Parker in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
• Cameron Monaghan – Cal Kestis in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
• Ilkka Villi and Matthew Porretta – Alan Wake in Alan Wake 2
• Nadji Jeter – Miles Morales in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
• Ellise Chappell – Kathy Johanson in Deliver Us Mars
• Melanie Liburd – Saga Anderson in Alan Wake 2

Best Supporting Performer

• Laura Bailey – Mary Jane in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
• Neil Newbon – Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3 (winner)
• Cissy Jones – Andreja in Starfield
• Amelia Tyler –  Narrator in Baldur’s Gate 3
• Ralph Ineson – Cidolfus Telamon in Final Fantasy 16
• Patricia Summersett – Princess Zelda in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
• Idris Elba – Solomon Reed in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

Nintendo Game of the Year

• Pikmin 4
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (winner)
• Fire Emblem Engage
• Metroid Prime Remastered
• Octopath Traveller 2
• Fae Farm

PC Game of the Year

• Baldur’s Gate 3 (winner)
• Diablo 4
• Dave the Diver
• Tchia
• System Shock
• Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew

PlayStation Game of the Year

• Final Fantasy 16
• Resident Evil 4 (winner)
• Street Fighter 6
• Humanity
• Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon
• Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Xbox Game of the Year

• Starfield (winner)
• Chants of Sennaar
• Hi-Fi Rush
• Planet of Lana
• Dead Space
• Pentiment

Most Wanted Game

• Death Stranding 2
• Star Wars Outlaws
• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (winner)
• Tekken 8
• Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
• Hades 2
• Fable
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Everywhere
• Frostpunk 2
• Ark 2
• Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater
• Persona 3 Reload
• Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles
• Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
• Pacific Drive
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
• Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin

Ultimate Game of the Year

• Baldur’s Gate 3 (winner)
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
• Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
• Alan Wake 2
• Resident Evil 4
• Cocoon
• Starfield
• Final Fantasy 16
• Diablo 4
• Forza Motorsport
• Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
• Assassin’s Creed Mirage
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder
• Street Fighter 6
• Metroid Prime Remastered
• Hi-Fi Rush
• Lords of the Fallen
• Dead Space
• Sea of Stars