Every year, gamers across the world wait impatiently for December—not for holidays, but for The Game Awards, the gaming industry’s biggest and most prestigious night. Awards are given across multiple categories, but the most anticipated and influential title is undeniably the Game of the Year (GOTY) award. For many players, casting a vote for their favorite title is more than just clicking a button—it is a way to support developers, celebrate creativity, and help shape gaming history.
Whether you are curious about the voting process or want to ensure your vote counts, this detailed guide will walk you through everything you need to know. From understanding how GOTY winners are chosen to guidelines, eligibility, and step-by-step voting instructions, this article will help you confidently participate in one of the most celebrated gaming events in the world.
What Is the ‘Game of the Year’ Award?
The Game of the Year (GOTY) award is the highest honor presented at The Game Awards, an annual ceremony established to recognize creativity, innovation, artistic excellence, and technological achievement in the video game industry. The award typically goes to a title that demonstrates outstanding gameplay, storytelling, design, audio, direction, and overall experience.
How the Winner Is Selected
The final score is determined through a hybrid voting system:
- 90% Jury Vote:
More than 100 professional gaming media outlets, critics, journalists, and industry experts worldwide evaluate and score nominated games. Their votes hold the majority weight. - 10% Fan Vote:
This portion of voting comes directly from public online participation. While it may seem small compared to the jury’s share, the fan vote can influence close races and has become a major part of the event’s excitement.
The combined result decides which game ultimately wins the GOTY crown.
Why Your Vote Matters
Even though the public vote contributes 10% of the final outcome, it plays a surprisingly impactful role. Some years, the fan vote has created tight competition, shifting momentum for certain nominees. Voting is your opportunity to:
- Support the developers who created the game you love
- Help highlight unique and innovative titles
- Influence one of the biggest gaming discussions of the year
- Join millions of players who celebrate gaming achievements
Every single vote contributes to the final outcome—so yes, your vote truly matters.
How to Vote for the Game of the Year: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Voting for GOTY is simple, but many players still struggle to find the right page or understand the eligibility rules. Here is the complete guide in an easy, beginner-friendly format.
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
The first and most important step is to ensure you are on the official voting website of The Game Awards. Each year, voting happens exclusively at:
thegameawards.com
Many third-party websites may post their own fan polls, but only votes submitted on the official platform are counted toward the actual GOTY selection. Always double-check the authenticity of the site before voting.
Step 2: Sign In or Create an Account
To prevent spam or duplicate voting, the platform requires every participant to log in using an account. You have multiple options:
You can log in using:
- X (formerly Twitter)
- YouTube
- Twitch
- Your email address (create a new account)
Logging in is mandatory because it allows the system to record your vote securely and ensure that each person votes only once per round.
Step 3: Navigate to the ‘Vote’ or ‘Nominees’ Section
Once logged in, look for tabs labeled:
- Vote
- Categories
- Nominees
Clicking on these sections will open the list of categories available for voting. The Game Awards includes numerous categories like Best Art Direction, Best Narrative, Best Indie Game, Best Score, and more.
You need to scroll until you find the most prestigious title:
🕹 Game of the Year (GOTY)
This section displays all the nominees selected by the juries for that year.
Step 4: Review the Game of the Year Nominees
When you open the GOTY category, you will see a curated list of nominated titles. Each nominee usually includes:
- Game title
- Cover artwork
- Developer/Publisher
- A short description
- A highlight reel (sometimes)
Before you vote, you may want to:
- Watch game trailers
- Read brief descriptions
- Check out gameplay or reviews
- Recall your own gaming experiences
This helps you cast a thoughtful, informed vote.
Step 5: Choose the Game You Believe Deserves to Win
After reviewing the games, click on Select, Vote, or the checkbox representing your favorite nominee.
Make sure you choose the game that genuinely deserves the title based on factors like:
- Storytelling
- Innovation
- Gameplay mechanics
- Audio and music
- Art direction
- Emotional impact
- Overall experience
There are no strict rules—it is your personal opinion that matters!
Step 6: Submit Your Vote
After selecting your nominee, the site will show a confirmation prompt. Click Submit, Confirm Vote, or Cast Vote depending on the interface of that year.
If successful, you will see a confirmation message like:
🔹 “Your vote has been recorded.”
🔹 “Thank you for voting!”
Your vote is now counted in the 10% public voting pool.
Additional Tips for Voting Effectively
While the voting itself is simple, these extra tips can help you get the most out of the process.
1. Vote During All Voting Rounds
The Game Awards sometimes open multiple voting phases, especially in categories with eliminations. This means:
- Returning voters can vote again in each round
- Influence can shift based on the number of active participants
To maximize your impact, revisit the website regularly during the voting period.
2. Enable Notifications or Follow Official Channels
If you want to stay updated about voting deadlines or new announcements:
- Follow The Game Awards on X, YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook
- Allow notifications from the website
- Join gaming communities like Reddit or Discord
This ensures you never miss updates, nominee reveals, or last-minute voting windows.
3. Participate From Any Device
You can vote using:
- Smartphone
- Laptop
- PC
- Tablet
The website is mobile-friendly, so voting is quick and effortless.
4. Share Your Vote with Friends
Many fans share their choices on social media. Not only does this support your favorite game, but it may also encourage others to vote. Some organizers even provide shareable images or hashtags like:
- #TheGameAwards
- #GOTY
- #GameOfTheYear
This builds excitement and helps grow community involvement.
Common Questions About GOTY Voting
Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions by gamers.
Q1. Can you vote more than once?
You can vote once per round per account. Trying to generate multiple accounts may violate the rules and won’t help, as strict authentication measures are in place.
Q2. Is the voting free?
Yes. Voting is completely free and open to anyone with an internet connection.
Q3. Do fan votes really affect the outcome?
Absolutely—while only 10%, the fan vote can shift the standings if jury scores are close.
Q4. Are votes from all countries accepted?
Yes. Players worldwide can participate unless local restrictions apply.
Q5. Do game developers vote too?
Developers do not participate in the jury or fan vote. The jury consists solely of media and critic outlets. Developers may vote only as regular fans in the public vote.
Why Voting for GOTY Is Important for the Gaming Community
Voting isn’t just a small online action—it represents your voice as part of a global gaming community. Here’s why participating matters:
- ✔ It recognizes creativity and innovation
- ✔ It strengthens the bond between developers and players
- ✔ It encourages high-quality game development
- ✔ It celebrates gaming as an art form
- ✔ It highlights different genres, cultures, and styles
Your contribution helps shape the legacy of games that define a generation.
Final Thoughts
Voting for the Game of the Year award is an exciting way for gamers to be part of a global event that celebrates the best of the industry. It’s simple, fast, and impactful. By visiting the official Game Awards website, logging in, choosing your favorite title, and submitting your vote, you help influence one of the most prestigious honors a game can receive.
Whether you are backing a AAA blockbuster, an indie masterpiece, or a narrative-rich adventure, your vote reflects your love for gaming and supports the creators who pour their hearts into these virtual worlds.
So when voting opens—get ready. Explore the nominees, pick your champion, and let your voice be heard. Your single click might just help crown the next Game of the Year.