Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The last spot in The Game Awards’ 2026 Game of the Year shortlist is still a forecast, not an announced nomination. As of October 4, the official nominees page found for this report still showed the 2025 list. The available signals point to a crowded field—from Resident Evil Requiem and Crimson Desert to Forza Horizon 6, Slay the Spire 2, and Mewgenics—but they do not identify a certain final nominee.
What “the final nomination” means right now
The Game Awards has not confirmed its 2026 Game of the Year nominees on the official nominee page available as of October 4, 2026; that page displayed the 2025 list. So there is no announced “last nominee” to name. Here, the phrase means the predicted final place in the eventual shortlist.
The Game Awards says nominations are selected by a voting jury of more than 100 media and influencer outlets around the world. That describes the process, but does not establish that average review scores determine the results or that there is a score threshold for a nomination. The Game Awards’ voting-jury information explains the jury structure; it does not publish a formula for converting review averages into nominations.
What the current contender signals say
A June reader poll favored several different kinds of games
In a PC Gamer reader poll published June 26, 2026, Resident Evil Requiem received 16% of votes, Crimson Desert 12%, 007 First Light 9%, Slay the Spire 2 and Forza Horizon 6 8% each, Pragmata 7%, and Mewgenics 5%. Another 29% chose “none” of the nine options. These are votes from that poll’s participants, not critic ratings, a representative survey of players, or a forecast of the jury’s decision. The large “none” result also shows why the poll should be read as a snapshot rather than a complete field. PC Gamer’s poll
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
The Golden Joystick shortlist shows breadth, not a Game Awards prediction
A September 29 report on the 2026 Golden Joystick Awards lists a range of nominees across its PC and console Game of the Year categories. Its console list includes 007 First Light, Forza Horizon 6, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, Nioh 3, Pokémon Pokopia, PRAGMATA, Resident Evil Requiem, and Saros. The PC list includes Big Walk, Crimson Desert, Escape from Tarkov, Esoteric Ebb, Mewgenics, Order of the Sinking Star, Star Wars Zero Company, and Valheim. These are nominations in a separate awards program, not The Game Awards’ shortlist. TechRadar’s Golden Joystick nominee report
Golden Joystick Awards content director Daniel Dawkins described that program’s field as unusually open: “This year, no single game dominates the field, this is one of our most open and unpredictable years yet – making your vote more influential than ever in deciding our winners.” His comment concerns Golden Joystick voting; it is not a statement about The Game Awards or its jury.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Why a middling review average would not settle the last place
Calling this a battleground of “8/10 games” works as shorthand for a crowded field of well-regarded releases, not as a verified score for every contender. No supplied source establishes that every game in contention received an 8/10, and review scores vary by outlet and aggregation method. A review average alone cannot settle a nomination when the jury process has no published score-to-nomination formula.
For a useful comparison, consider several distinct signals rather than treating one number as decisive:
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- Breadth of critical support: how many outlets reviewed a game and how consistent their responses were. Aggregates depend on their publication window and inclusion rules.
- High-end enthusiasm: a game can attract especially strong individual praise even if its broader average is less exceptional.
- Audience visibility: player interest can indicate cultural reach, but a reader poll is not a jury ballot.
- Genre and platform reach: the nominees across the two Golden Joystick lists demonstrate that contenders come from different genres and platform communities; their presence there does not guarantee recognition elsewhere.
- Release and review timing: when a game launches and when coverage appears can affect how much attention it receives during an awards cycle. The sources here do not establish a specific timing advantage for any contender.
These are lenses for thinking about the race, not confirmed criteria used by The Game Awards jury.
Why score rankings need a date and a rulebook
Metacritic’s midyear 2026 roundup is a dated snapshot, not an October ranking: it used scores available as of July 1 and required at least seven professional critic reviews. It excluded ports of older games, expansions and downloadable content, mobile games, compilations, and definitive or Game of the Year editions. A list built with those rules cannot establish today’s complete contender order or predict a jury outcome. Metacritic’s midyear 2026 roundup
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Awards can also use different years to mean different things. The Game Developers Choice Awards calls its 2026 event an honor for the best games of 2025, so its ceremony year should not be mistaken for a 2026 release-year award. Game Developers Choice Awards
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which games still look plausible?
The available snapshots identify a broad pool rather than a defensible single pick. Resident Evil Requiem led the cited June PC Gamer poll, while Crimson Desert and 007 First Light also drew substantial poll support. Forza Horizon 6, Slay the Spire 2, Pragmata, and Mewgenics appeared in that poll too. The Golden Joystick lists add further contenders, including Saros, Nioh 3, Pokémon Pokopia, Big Walk, Esoteric Ebb, and Valheim.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
That makes these games candidates to watch, not confirmed Game Awards nominees. The poll’s timing, its limited options, and the Golden Joystick’s separate award process all prevent either source from resolving who will occupy the final place.
When the answer becomes definitive
The answer changes when The Game Awards publishes its 2026 nominees. Until then, the strongest accurate conclusion is that the field remains open: audience interest and another awards program’s nominations show a range of possible contenders, but neither substitutes for the official shortlist. When comparing awards, check both the program and the year it is honoring.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
