The Game Awards timing may exclude GTA 6 from 2026 honors

The release timing of major video game titles may prevent highly anticipated games from being eligible for Game of the Year honors at The Game Awards. Industry journalist Alanah Pearce has noted that the voting timeline for the awards often concludes in early November, which creates a conflict for titles releasing later in the year.

Specifically, Grand Theft Auto VI, scheduled for release on November 19, faces the possibility of being ineligible for the 2026 awards cycle due to the jury's voting schedule. Because the nomination process typically begins well in advance, there may not be sufficient time for jurors to play and evaluate the game before decisions are finalized. Similarly, while a Zelda remake arriving on November 5 might have a chance if Nintendo provides early access codes, the current structure of the event favors games released earlier in the calendar year.