Why Black Myth: Wukong's 2024 Golden Joystick Win Still Resonates in 2026
Black Myth: Wukong's historic Ultimate Game of the Year win at the Golden Joystick Awards 2024 was powered by public vote.
As a longtime game journalist and avid player, I still vividly recall the shockwave that rippled through the industry when Black Myth: Wukong, the debut title from Chinese developer Game Science, was crowned Ultimate Game of the Year at the U.K.'s Golden Joystick Awards. That was back in 2024, and now, in 2026, I find myself reflecting on how that moment foreshadowed the game's enduring legacy. It was a win that defied conventional wisdom: the game had not reviewed as well as its competition, and its massive sales were largely concentrated in the Chinese market. Yet it swept past heavyweights like Astro Bot, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Helldivers 2 to take the top prize.
The 2024 Golden Joystick Awards were a night of surprises. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Helldivers 2 were the biggest winners, each taking home four trophies. Helldivers 2 won both the Critics’ Choice Award and Console Game of the Year. PC Game of the Year went to Satisfactory, and Best Game Expansion was Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree—which, controversially, was also nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards that year. The GOTY frontrunner, Astro Bot, had to settle for Best Audio Design and Studio of the Year for its developer Team Asobi. Meanwhile, critical darling Metaphor: ReFantazio went home empty-handed, and indie favorite Balatro won two awards.
Here’s the full list of 2024 Golden Joystick winners, which I’ve compiled for easy reference:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Audio Design | Astro Bot |
| Best Soundtrack | Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth |
| Best Storytelling | Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth |
| Best Multiplayer Game | Helldivers 2 |
| Best Visual Design | Black Myth: Wukong |
| Best Indie Game | Balatro |
| Best Indie Game (Self-published) | Another Crab's Treasure |
| Studio of the Year | Team Asobi (Astro Bot) |
| Best Lead Performer | Cody Christian (Cloud, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth) |
| Best Supporting Performer | Briana White (Aerith, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth) |
| Breakthrough Award (Critics’ Choice) | Balatro |
| Still Playing Award (Console & PC) | Minecraft |
| Still Playing Award (Mobile) | Honkai: Star Rail |
| PC Game of the Year | Satisfactory |
| Console Game of the Year | Helldivers 2 |
| Most Wanted Game | Grand Theft Auto 6 |
| Critics' Choice Award | Helldivers 2 |
| Best Game Expansion | Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree |
| Best Gaming Hardware | Steam Deck OLED |
| Best Early Access Game | Lethal Company |
| Best Game Trailer | Helldivers 2 |
| Streamers' Choice Award | Chained Together |
| Best Game Adaptation | Fallout |
| Ultimate Game of the Year | Black Myth: Wukong |
So why did Black Myth: Wukong win? 🤔 Unlike other gaming awards, most categories in the Golden Joysticks are 100% determined by public vote. This means Black Myth’s victory was a direct result of its fanbase’s activation. The game’s solid action gameplay and cutting-edge, spectacular visuals clearly won it broad support. But there was also a culture-war element at play. Game Science became politically controversial after IGN reported on the alleged misogyny of its leadership. This rallied some conservative online culture warriors to the game’s cause, further boosting its vote count.
This level of support boosted Black Myth: Wukong’s chances at The Game Awards on Dec. 12, 2024, where it was also nominated for Game of the Year. But it only boosted them by so much. Public voting only counts toward 10% of the final result at The Game Awards, with the remaining 90% coming from the voting jury of critics and games media publications. Though broad and international, the jury was still likely to favor the five other nominees over Black Myth, all of which had 90-plus ratings on Metacritic, where Game Science’s game only had a rating of 81. As we now know, Astro Bot ultimately took home the Game Award for GOTY, but Black Myth’s Golden Joystick win remains a fan-driven triumph that showcased the power of a dedicated community.
The Golden Joystick Awards is a venerable British institution that has been around in one form or another since 1983. The first Game of the Year winner was Jetpac by Ultimate Play The Game, the studio that would later become Rare. The Golden Joysticks is owned by Future plc, which publishes outlets like PC Gamer, Edge, and GamesRadar. In 2026, the awards continue to be a major event, but the 2024 ceremony will always be remembered for Black Myth’s upset.
Looking back from 2026, I see that Black Myth: Wukong’s win was more than just a trophy. It was a signal that the gaming audience is global and that fan passion can sometimes override critical consensus. 🎮 The game’s success also paved the way for more Chinese-developed AAA titles to gain international recognition. While it didn’t win the Game Award for GOTY, its Golden Joystick victory proved that public voting can deliver surprises. For me, as a gamer, it was a reminder that awards are not just about Metacritic scores—they’re about the communities that rally behind the games they love. 🏆
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