Golden Joystick Awards Features Several Indie Game Nominees

Two indie-exclusive categories plus other indies

Indie Games Everywhere In This Year’s Awards

Featuring This Year’s Standout Indie Games

Voting is now open for the 42nd Golden Joystick Awards! #GoldenJoystickAwards

View the 2024 Shortlist and have your say below! 👇 https://t.co/cBpEz3SgOH pic.twitter.com/rOxbCy6Bhr
— Golden Joysticks (@GoldenJoysticks) October 4, 2024

It’s the Golden Joystick Award season right now, and the shortlist for nominees are out! This awards show is the longest-running video game award ceremony, first launched 42 years ago in 1983. Votes are taken from the official online survey, and is available for anyone to access and put in their votes. Several amazing indie games have been blessed with a nomination for the prestigious event, and if one of your favorite games are in the lists, make sure to support them by giving them your vote on the official Golden Joystick Awards page on GamesRadar!

Best Indie Game

^{image above from Balatro}

Firstly, the Golden Joystick Awards’ Best Indie Game category showcases particularly notable indie games that have the following criteria as noted by the event: “the best indie games unite imagination, style, and innovation with inventive, rewarding controls to reinvigorate your love of gaming.” Here are this year’s nominees!

　⚫︎　Beyond Galaxyland

　⚫︎　Conscript

　⚫︎　INDIKA

　⚫︎　Thank Goodness You’re Here!

　⚫︎　Animal Well

　⚫︎　Balatro

　⚫︎　Ultros

　⚫︎　Arco

　⚫︎　The Plucky Squire

　⚫︎　Lorelai and the Laser Eyes

Best Indie Game - Self Published

^{image above from Arctic Eggs}

As one of this year’s newest categories, this group is composed of games that are “developed and published by a small team or developer.” These games are recognized for the quality of their games despite being self-published and without the backing of a larger publisher. The first batch of Best Self-Published Indie Game nominees include the following:

　⚫︎　Tiny Glade

　⚫︎　Duck Detective: The Secret Salami

　⚫︎　Little Kitty, Big City

　⚫︎　Arctic Eggs

　⚫︎　UFO 50

　⚫︎　Tactical Breach Wizards

　⚫︎　Riven

　⚫︎　Crow Country

　⚫︎　I Am Your Beast

　⚫︎　Another Crab’s Treasure

Indie Games In Other Categories

^{image above from Lorelai and the Laser Eyes}

Several indie games have also made themselves known in other categories, going up against AAA games. These hidden gems have proven themselves to be worth a look, and deserve a spot in your bucket list! Check out these other indie games nominated for other categories!

　⚫︎　Best Storytelling: 1000xRESIST, Lorelai and the Laser Eyes, Tactical Breach Wizards

　⚫︎　Best Multiplayer Game: Sons of the Forest, Abiotic Factor

　⚫︎　Best Visual Design: Harold Halibut

　⚫︎　Still Playing - Mobile: Mini Motorways

　⚫︎　Best Audio Design: Balatro, Still Wakes the Deep, Robobeat

　⚫︎　Best Soundtrack: A Highland Song, Hauntii

　⚫︎　Best Supporting Performer: Neve McIntosh as Suze in Still Wakes the Deep

　⚫︎　PC Game of the Year: Animal Well, UFO 50, Tactical Breach Wizards, Satisfactory, Frostpunk 2, Balatro (all indie games!)

　⚫︎　Best Early Access Game: Manor Lords, Palworld, Lethal Company, Hades II, Enshrouded, Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor (another all indie category!)

　⚫︎　Best Game Trailer: The Plucky Squire Launch Trailer, Caravan Sandwitch Launch Trailer, Kingmakers Official Announcement Trailer

　⚫︎　Most Wanted Game: Light No Fire, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Slay the Spire 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Atomfall

If you would like to support any of these star-quality games, you can head over to the Golden Joystick Awards’ official website or its GamesRadar+ page to vote! Voting period will run until November 1st only, so send in your ballots!