Gaming News
Crimson Desert Wins PC Game of the Year at 2026 Golden Joysticks
Developing
Via "Why The Crimson Desert Devs Don't Chase Awards" All clips and posts below are embedded from their original sources.
By the numbers: this timeline documents 3 events, drawn from 4 sources.
“feels like you're playing a highlight reel of the best moments in the series.”
via pcgamer.com
Our take
Crimson Desert's win for PC Game of the Year highlights its strong reception on that specific platform, despite PC Gamer noting the experience is 'pretty much the same' on consoles. The award positions the title as a key contender in the broader 2026 awards race, which Polygon notes is currently 'up in the air' due to the lack of a singular frontrunner before the release of GTA 6.
Background
The Golden Joystick Awards, which debuted in 1983, is the longest-running publicly-voted videogame awards show of all time, according to Wikipedia. The 2026 ceremony marked the 44th annual event, a milestone that PC Gamer noted reflects the longevity of the awards in an era where joysticks are largely obsolete outside of niche genres like flight sims.
The 2026 awards season was characterized by a lack of a single clear frontrunner, unlike 2025 which featured Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Polygon noted that the slate was full of quality titles, but the imminent release of Grand Theft Auto 6 on November 19, 2026, cast a shadow over the race, as the game was not yet in competition.
The timeline
-
Crimson Desert won PC Game of the Year
At the 44th annual Golden Joystick Awards, Crimson Desert was reportedly announced as the winner of the PC Game of the Year category. PC Gamer reported that the game earned an 80% review score, with reviewer Mollie Taylor describing it as 'Vast and obtuse in a way that is going to frustrate some and exhilarate others.'[1]
-
Resident Evil Requiem takes Ultimate Game of the Year
Capcom's Resident Evil Requiem reportedly won the top award, Ultimate Game of the Year, at the 2026 Golden Joystick Awards. The game also reportedly won for Console Game of the Year, Best Game Trailer, and Best Lead Performer for Angela Sant'Albano's performance as Grace Ashcroft.[1]
-
Meccha Chameleon won four awards
The multiplayer hide-and-seek game Meccha Chameleon reportedly won four awards at the ceremony, including Best Multiplayer Game, Best Indie Game (self-published), the Steamers' Choice Award, and the Developer's Choice Award.[1]
Our read of the evidence
Mostly unverified. All three award results rest solely on reporting from pcgamer.com with no primary source confirmation. The coverage comes from a single outlet, and no organizers or recipients are cited on the record.
Our rating counts evidence, not opinions about anyone: events confirmed by a primary source (the person's own post, their official site, a court or government record) weigh most, then how many independent outlets report the story.
What happens next
November 19, 2026: Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled for release, which Polygon notes will 'undoubtedly upend the awards landscape' for later shows.
December 2026: Geoff Keighley’s The Game Awards is scheduled for December, which Polygon identifies as the next major indicator for the Game of the Year race.
Frequently asked
Did Crimson Desert win Game of the Year at the 2026 Golden Joysticks?
No, Crimson Desert won the PC Game of the Year award. According to PC Gamer, the Ultimate Game of the Year award went to Resident Evil Requiem.
When did the 2026 Golden Joystick Awards take place?
The 44th annual Golden Joystick Awards concluded on November 11, 2026, according to PC Gamer and Polygon.
What was the review score for Crimson Desert?
Crimson Desert earned an 80% review score from PC Gamer, according to the outlet's coverage of the awards.
Why was GTA 6 not in the 2026 Golden Joystick Awards?
Grand Theft Auto 6 was not in competition because it was not released until November 19, 2026, according to Polygon.
More related drama (4)
Sources (4)
Cite this timeline
This timeline compiles 3 dated events from 4 sources. If it helped your reporting, cite it:
GenZHype. “Crimson Desert Wins PC Game of the Year at 2026 Golden Joysticks.”
GenZHype, 11 November 2026,
https://genzhype.com/gaming/crimson-desert-wins-pc-game-of-the-year-at-2026-golden-joysticks/.