The 44th annual Golden Joystick Awards in London concluded with a definitive victory for Capcom, as Resident Evil Requiem claimed the prestigious Ultimate Game of the Year title. In a tightly contested public vote, the survival horror title captured 17% of the total ballots, narrowly edging out Phantom Blade Zero at 16% and Crimson Desert at 15%.

A Controversial Near-Miss

The narrow margin for Phantom Blade Zero sparked industry debate, given that the game launched on October 29—merely 24 hours before the polls closed. That a title with such limited public exposure nearly secured the top honor remains one of the most unusual statistical anomalies in the event's history.

Capcom’s Commanding Performance

Capcom proved to be the evening's primary powerhouse, securing seven awards across the 25 categories. Resident Evil Requiem alone accounted for four of those wins: Ultimate Game of the Year, Console Game of the Year, Best Game Trailer, and Best Lead Performer for Angela Sant’Albano’s performance as Grace Ashcroft. Furthermore, Capcom earned the Studio of the Year title, while Onimusha: Way of the Sword took home Best Audio Design and Grace Saif was honored as Best Supporting Performer for her role in Pragmata.

The Rise of Independent Talent

The indie sector saw a remarkable success story in Meccha Chameleon, a two-person project from developers Lemorion_1224 and Haganeiro. The game mirrored Capcom’s haul with four awards, including Best Multiplayer, Best Indie Game (Self-Published), Streamers’ Choice, and Developers’ Choice.

Key Highlights and Notable Snubs

  • Diverse Winners: Unlike the 2025 ceremony, which saw Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sweep seven categories, the 2026 awards featured a more balanced distribution. Dispatch excelled in storytelling and soundtrack, while Crimson Desert was named PC Game of the Year.
  • Visual Excellence: Control Resonant secured Best Visual Design, and Valheim earned the Best Indie Game accolade.
  • Critical Discrepancies: Despite holding the highest Metacritic rating of 2026, Big Walk only managed to secure the Critics’ Choice Award, failing to convert any of its six other nominations.
  • Empty-Handed Contenders: High-profile titles including 007 First Light, The Blood of Dawnwalker, Saros, Mewgenics, and Forza Horizon 6 left the ceremony without a single trophy despite significant nomination counts.