America's Dominance in The Game Awards Is Officially Over

The Game Awards, a prominent gaming event, has seen a notable shift in the voting power of media outlets across the globe. In 2024 and 2025, the United States had a significant presence, comprising 24 out of over 130 jury seats. However, the trend of internationalization has continued, with the jury expanding to include more representatives from various countries.

The U.S. has typically dominated the jury, with at least 10 more votes than any other nation. But this era of American dominance is coming to an end. For the 2026 jury, the composition has changed dramatically. While the U.K. has increased its voting power from 14 to 17, the U.S. has reduced its presence to just 17 outlets, a considerable drop from previous years.

This change is not just symbolic but also indicative of a shift in the power dynamics of the jury. Brazil has emerged as a new powerhouse, increasing its voting influence by four outlets and now commanding 14 votes, just behind the U.S. and the U.K. This surge in Latin American representation is part of a broader trend, with Latin American countries now making up around 21% of the jury.

On the other hand, the Anglophone voting bloc of the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia is on the decline. Major media outlets such as Entertainment Weekly, Esquire, Inverse, Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, Wirecutter, and Wired have all left the jury. This exodus of mainstream, lifestyle, and tech media suggests a possible shift in the focus of the jury.

While the games represented at the Game Awards have become more diverse, with countries of origin playing a significant role, the hegemony of the all-American AAA blockbuster in the Game of the Year (GOTY) race seems to be over. Grand Theft Auto 6, developed by Rockstar Games, is the overwhelming favorite but represents a shift in the kind of games that are likely to win the GOTY award.