Rockstar Teases “Mind-Blowing” Features for GTA 6 at Golden Joystick Awards
The 24th edition of the Golden Joystick Awards, the world’s longest-running video game ceremony, delivered an evening of celebration for standout titles like Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, Helldivers 2, and Black Myth: Wukong. However, the spotlight also shone on Rockstar Games, as the studio promised “absolutely mind-blowing” features for the much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) during their acceptance speech.
This year’s awards garnered a record-breaking 12 million votes across 21 categories. The coveted Ultimate Game of the Year title was claimed by Black Myth: Wukong, a visually stunning debut from Game Science. The game also earned the Best Visual Design accolade. Feng Ji, CEO of Game Science, hinted at further surprises in store for fans later this year during his acceptance speech.
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth emerged as another big winner, securing four awards, while Helldivers 2 took home three.
GTA 6 Claims ‘Most Wanted’ Award
Predictably, Rockstar’s GTA 6 won the Most Wanted award, reflecting the industry’s unrelenting anticipation for the next instalment in the blockbuster franchise. Accepting the award, Rockstar’s David Manley shared a tantalising update:
“There’s an incredible amount of people doing amazing things on Grand Theft Auto 6, absolutely mind-blowing things,” Manley said. “It’s an honour to accept this award on everyone’s behalf. Thank you very much, and yes, more to come.”
The Wait Continues for GTA 6 Fans
Rockstar has remained tight-lipped about specific details, including an exact release date. The first and only trailer for GTA 6 debuted nearly a year ago, in December 2023, leaving fans hungry for more information.
Publisher Take-Two Interactive recently reaffirmed a fall 2025 release window for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in its earnings report. However, Rockstar’s track record suggests a potential delay, as all major titles since 2004’s Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas have experienced postponements.
A PC version of GTA 6 also remains unconfirmed. Historically, Rockstar’s PC launches have followed their console counterparts by several months, or even years. For instance, Grand Theft Auto V took almost two years to make its PC debut, while Red Dead Redemption 2 followed more than a year after its initial release. Speculation from a former developer suggests the PC version of GTA 6 might not arrive until 2027.
As fans eagerly await further updates, Rockstar’s promise of “mind-blowing” features has only heightened anticipation, ensuring that GTA 6 remains firmly in the spotlight as one of the most eagerly awaited titles in gaming history.
Full list of Golden Joystick 2024 categories and winners
- Best Storytelling – Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (public vote)
- Best Visual Design – Black Myth: Wukong (public vote)
- Best Multiplayer Game – Helldivers 2 (public vote)
- Best Audio Design – Astro Bot (public vote)
- Best Game Expansion – Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree (public vote)
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Another Crab’s Treasure (public vote)
- Best Indie Game – Balatro (public vote)
- Studio of the Year – Team ASOBI (public vote)
- Best Soundtrack – Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (public vote)
- Best Game Trailer – Helldivers 2 (public vote)
- Best Early Access Game – Lethal Company (public vote)
- Still Playing – Mobile – Honkai: Star Rail (public vote)
- Still Playing – Consoles & PC – Minecraft (public vote)
- Streamers’ Choice Award – Chained Together (critically chosen)
- Breakthrough Award – Balatro (critically chosen)
- Best Gaming Hardware – Steam Deck OLED (public vote)
- Best Game Adaptation – Fallout (public vote)
- Best Supporting Performer – Briana White (public vote)
- Best Lead Performer – Cody Christian (public vote)
- PC Game of the Year – Satisfactory (public vote)
- Console Game of the Year – Helldivers 2 (public vote)
- Critics’ Choice Award – Helldivers 2 (critically chosen)
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6 (public vote)
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Black Myth: Wukong (public vote)
