Exclusive festival tie-up announced as event aims to smash one million votes.

22/05/08 – Future, the special-interest media group and organisers of the Golden Joystick Awards, is calling for the UK games industry to get behind the 26th Annual Golden Joystick Awards to make it the biggest and best yet. The Joysticks have been officially revealed as a major date in the London Games Festival 2008 calendar, and the first stage of voting is now open.

Gamers can now have their say on the best games of the last year at www.goldenjoystick.com and organisers hope to smash one million votes in 2008. Future is calling on all marketing and PR teams to rally their online communities and drum up support for their nominated titles. The Joysticks are the ONLY awards voted for solely by gamers.

Longlist voting is now open, and votes will directly influence the shortlists, in the 15 gamer voted categories, which are announced at midday on Monday, 16th June.

The Golden Joystick Awards officially join the London Games Festival line-up for the first-time in 2008, having firmly cemented their reputation as the people’s UK gaming awards. As part of this new exclusive partnership, Future will promote LGF2008 across its sector-leading portfolio of magazines and websites, with the Golden Joystick Awards receiving additional marketing and promotional assistance from festival organisers – as the Joysticks aims to reach one million votes.

The Golden Joystick Awards 2008

Ultimate Game of the Year
The Sun Family Game of the Year
Nuts All Nighter Award
BBC 1Xtra Soundtrack of the Year
Bliss Handheld Game of the Year
Editor’s Choice
The One To Watch Award
4Talent Mobile Game of the Year
Nintendo Game of the Year
Online Game of the Year
PC Game of the Year
Playstation Game of the Year
Xbox Game of the Year
Publisher of the Year
Retailer of the Year
UK Developer of the Year

Emma Parkinson, Organiser of the Golden Joystick Awards, said:

“We urge the industry to get behind the Golden Joystick Awards, mobilising their fans and customers to have their say on the best of gaming. By linking with London Games Festival we can focus the attention of the mainstream media on the games industry, and help celebrate our many achievements and successes. These are the people’s awards, and we want everyone who games to name their favourites.”

Keith Ramsdale, Chairman of London Games Festival 2008, added:

‘The Golden Joystick Awards have been a gaming calendar highlight for years. The London Games Festival team is delighted to enter into an exclusive relationship with Future, opening up a range of opportunities for both the Festival and the Joysticks.’

To find out more, or to take part in the first-stage of voting, visit www.goldenjoystick.com now!