The Golden Joystick Awards Return for 2003

New Venue to Accommodate Increasing Industry Demand

The search for the most popular games of 2003 begins in earnest today as voting opens for this year's Computer and Video Games Golden Joystick Awards.

'The Joysticks' are the UK's longest-standing and most prestigious awards, having first been presented in 1982. The awards are also the most indicative of public opinion, with every stage of the process, from initial voting through final nominations to the selection of winners, being governed by consumer choice.

“Last year’s Golden Joystick Awards were a success beyond our expectations, with more than 30,000 consumers voting online and the awards ceremony itself being sold out,” says Tara Leathers, Games Division Publisher for Dennis Publishing. “The event was such a success, in fact, that we have had to move this year’s to a larger venue. The Joysticks are now clearly established as the leading awards in the UK gaming calendar.”

Voting will be driven through a campaign of editorial and advertising promotions in Dennis Publishing’s portfolio of computer and video games magazines and websites, along with further promotion in the relevant lifestyle magazines from the Dennis stable, including Maxim and the recently-acquired Jack.

In addition, Dennis Publishing is in the process of completing a series of tie-ins with major media partners which will spread awareness of the awards and increase voting amongst the broader gaming community.

The complete list of award categories is as follows…

• Xbox Game of the Year

• GameCube Game of the Year

• Handheld Game of the Year

• PS2 Game of the Year

• PC Game of the Year (in association with PC Zone)

• Online Game of the Year

• Publisher of the Year

• Games Retailer of the Year (sponsored by Electronic Arts)

• Best New Hardware (sponsored by Vivendi and Crash Nitro)

• Most Wanted Game for Xmas

• Most Anticipated Game for 2004

• The Ultimate Game of the Year (Sponsored by GAME)

In addition to these consumer awards, there will also be three accolades handed out by Dennis Publishing’s editorial staff: the ‘Hall of Fame’ (awarded to an industry personality), the ‘Unsung Hero’ (presented to a title whose critical acclaim didn’t translate into equivalent chart success) and the ‘Editors’ Award’ for the game which has been most played by Dennis staff over the course of the year.

The Golden Joystick Awards 2003 will culminate in a glittering awards ceremony which will take place at London’s Park Lane Hotel on Friday, November 28th.