The UK’s Golden Joystick today announced a dramatic, and high-profile return to the media spotlight, having been absent since 1997. The first ceremony celebrating and rewarding gaming-related excellence was held in 1982, and was hosted by Computer and Video Games magazine.

Dennis Publishing have taken it upon themselves to restore this once glittering occasion to the public eye, and as such the awards will take place on October the 25th, at London’s Dorchester Hotel, with celebrity host Jonathan Ross at the helm.

“The Golden Joystick Awards will be the biggest multi-format gaming awards the has seen,” commented Tara Leathers, Games Division Publisher for Dennis Publishing. “Today, gaming is in the mainstream and to celebrate we are bringing back the Golden Joystick Awards, bigger and better than ever. The Golden Joystick Awards recognise the hard work and achievements of the and capture the massive and widespread passion for gaming in the UK.”

The categories up for awards are:

· Game of the year (sponsored by Jungle.com)
· game of the year
· game of the year
· game of the year
· Game Cube game of the year
· Handheld game of the year
· Online game of the year
· British developer of the year
· Publisher of the year
· Hardware of the year (sponsored by Vivendi Universal Games)
· Game innovation of the year (PC)
· Game innovation of the year (console)
· Most wanted game of 2002
· Retailer of the Year (sponsored by Electronic Arts)
· Editorial Award (voted by Dennis staff)

The public can vote on these awards, at the official website, here, and we’ll bring you more news on the glittering showcase as we get it.

By Luke Guttridge