The Golden Joystick Awards revealed 12 Ultimate Game of the Year nominees, including 007 First Light, Big Walk, Resident Evil Requiem, Crimson Desert and Forza Horizon 6. Fan voting runs until 11:59 PM GMT on Friday, Oct. 30, with winners announced at the Nov. 11 ceremony at Troxy in London, hosted by Alix Wilton Regan. GTA 6 is absent because it launches Nov. 19, after voting and the show.
Because the event occurs on November 11, just eight days ahead of the Grand Theft Auto 6 release date, and polls close October 30, the title cannot qualify.
2026 stands out as a particularly strong period for video game launches.
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Shigeru Miyamoto has been chosen to receive Japan’s Order of Culture, the first video game industry figure to earn the distinction. The award, presented by the emperor on November 3, honors major contributions to Japanese culture across arts and sciences.
Blizzard says World of Warcraft: Forever launches globally on November 4, 2026, at 3 PM PT (6 PM ET). Access is included with a World of Warcraft subscription or Game Time.
GameSir has announced Sunset Boulevard and Ocean Breeze editions of its G7 Pro controller, with tropical, Miami-sunset-inspired designs, and opened pre-orders. GameSir says they are designed for Xbox and keep TMR sticks, 1000Hz polling, dual-mode triggers and four remappable buttons. Insider Gaming reports a £99.99 price and a November release; GameSir has not given a visible price or exact date in its announcement.
HUNGER extraction RPG's closed test peaked at 16,000 players and prompted GOOD FUN Corporation to outline targeted fixes. The results show strong player retention during a wipe-enabled test window.
Auroch Digital, the Bristol studio behind Boltgun 2, said it has begun a redundancy consultation affecting around a quarter of roles as it restructures. It is owned by Roundtable Interactive. Support for Boltgun 2 and Warhammer Survivors (launching Nov 10) will continue. It gave no headcount.
