Okay gamers, gather around because the moment we've all been waiting for is finally here! The Game Awards has just dropped the 30 nominees for the Players' Voice Award, and let me tell you, this list is absolutely stacked with bangers from 2026. This award is special—it's literally our award, 100% voted by us, the players. No judges, no critics, just pure, unfiltered fan love. Last year, Baldur's Gate 3 took the crown, and before that, Genshin Impact had its moment. So, who's gonna be the fan-favorite champion this time?

Right off the bat, the list reads like a "Greatest Hits of 2026" playlist. Of course, the heavy hitters nominated for the official Game of the Year are here, flexing their muscles. We've got the absolutely delightful Astro Bot, the deck-building phenomenon Balatro, and the cultural milestone that is Black Myth: Wukong. But the fun doesn't stop there! The community's voice has spoken, bringing in some fascinating picks.

It's so cool to see such a diverse mix. We have massive, story-driven RPGs like Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth sitting right next to the endless chaos of Fortnite and Helldivers 2. And hey, let's give it up for the expansions and live-service games that are still killing it! Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree proved that DLC can be a full-blown masterpiece, while Final Fantasy XIV and No Man's Sky are like that one friend who just keeps getting better with age. Seriously, No Man's Sky in 2026? What a glow-up!

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Here’s the full roster of the 30 nominees, and honestly, picking just ten for the first round of voting is gonna be torture:

  • 🚀 Astro Bot

  • 🃏 Balatro

  • 🐒 Black Myth: Wukong

  • 🔫 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

  • 🐉 Dragon Age: The Veilguard

  • 💥 Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

  • 🌳 Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

  • ⚔️ Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

  • 🌟 Final Fantasy XIV

  • 🏆 Fortnite

  • 🍃 Genshin Impact

  • 🪖 Helldivers 2

  • 🎮 League of Legends

  • 🗡️ The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

  • 💰 Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

  • 🏰 Metaphor: ReFantazio

  • 📱 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

  • 🌌 No Man's Sky

  • 🦊 Palworld

  • 😈 Persona 3 Reload

  • 🧠 Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2

  • 😨 Silent Hill 2

  • 🌈 Sonic X Shadow Generations

  • ⚔️ Stellar Blade

  • 🌊 Wuthering Waves

  • 💣 Valorant

  • ⚙️ Warframe

  • 🪐 Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

  • 🏙️ Zenless Zone Zero

Looking at this list... man, 2026 was a wild year for games, wasn't it? We had everything. The sheer vibe of discovering Palworld for the first time, the emotional gut-punch of Senua's Saga, the stylish action of Stellar Blade... It's like each game is yelling for our attention, and I'm here for it.

Now, for the important part: HOW WE VOTE. This is our power, people! The first round of voting is OPEN NOW and closes on Wednesday, January 4th. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to head over to The Game Awards website and pick your top 10 games from this list. That's right, you get to choose ten! After that, the field will narrow down, and we'll vote again until one ultimate champion remains.

The big reveal will happen live during The Game Awards ceremony on December 12th. Can you imagine the hype?

So, what do you think? Who are you putting in your top ten? Is this the year an underdog like Balatro or Metaphor takes it all? Or will a powerhouse like Black Myth: Wukong or Elden Ring dominate the popular vote? The beauty is, we literally decide. No one else. It's our voice, our choice. Let's make it count!

P.S. The fact that games from so many different genres and styles are all here together... it just shows how amazing and varied our gaming community is. Whether you're a solo adventurer, a competitive grinder, or a cozy explorer, there's something on this list that speaks to you. And that's pretty special.