The nominations for the Gayming Awards 2026 have been revealed. Hades II and Date everything! It came out on top with three nominations in each of 14 categories. Erika Ishii won the voice actress award (Ghost of Yotei, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Dimension 20) and iconic drag artist Dawn (RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16) will host this edition of the Gaming Awards, which will be broadcast exclusively worldwide on World of Wonder’s WOW Presents Plus on Monday, June 8th.th2026.
“It was such an honor to win last year’s LGBTQ+ Voice Actor of the Year award, and I’m grateful to be able to host and celebrate the gamer community this year with the amazingly talented Dawn,” said Erica (they/them), who picked up the LGBTQ+ Voice Actor of the Year trophy at last year’s ceremony.
Joining her is the divinely eccentric Dawn (she/her), a fan favorite. rupaul’s drag race Season 16 is known for her sharp wit and signature “woodland creature” high fashion aesthetic. A self-proclaimed geek who frequently incorporates gaming and fantasy influences into her work, Dawn brings a unique blend of Brooklyn edge and quirky charm to the stage. Whether delivering avant-garde elf fantasy or a deadly read, Dawn is Erika’s perfect chaotic counterpart, ensuring the 2026 ceremony is as unapologetically queer as it is hilarious.
“I’ve spent my whole life obsessed with gaming and high fantasy, so being the host of this show is a big full-circle moment for me. I’m excited to bring the chaos of Brooklyn to the stage and see what kind of trouble Erica and I get into!” said Dawn.
Six games have been nominated for the prestigious Game of the Year award. Ball×Pit, Blue Prince, Ghost of the Demon Emperor, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong and Midnight south. meanwhile Date Everything!, Dead by Daylight – Steady Pulse, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Nominated by the public for the Gaming Magazine Fan Favorite Award.
Other categories include Best LGBTQ+ Indie Game, sponsored by Dead By Daylight; This award celebrates passionate work in the indie space, and the following are nominated: Monster Prom 4: Monster Con, Quantum Witch and spirit swap; and LGBTQ+ Voice Actor of the Year Nominees include Allegra Clarke, Jay Taylor, Jennifer English, Michael Loates, Robin Holdaway, and Tobias Weatherburn.
In the world of geek entertainment, six TV shows were nominated for Queer Geek Entertainment of the Year, sponsored by Q Care Plus. Dimension 20: Dungeons & Drag Queens Season 2, Harley Quinn: Season 5, Husbin Hotel: Season 2, Stranger Things: Season 5, The Mighty Nine and The Last of Us: Season 2.
New for 2026, the Gaming Awards will celebrate LGBTQ+ content creators with a special series of awards called Gaming Awards Creator Honors, sponsored by Logitech G. These four awards aim to celebrate and uplift LGBTQ+ game content creators at all levels, with over 20 nominees across categories.
This year, fans around the world will be able to make their voices heard even more. Public voting has started For 10 of these 14 categories – have your say, please visit: gamingword.com. Voting ends at midnight (EST) on April 3, 2026.
The jury will also continue to provide input and will share voting rights in most categories 50% to 50% with the public.
Here is the complete list of nominees for Gayming Awards 2025:
- game of the year
- Ball x Pit – Kenny Sun / Devolver Digital
- Blue Prince – Dogbomb / Raw Fury
- Ghost of Yotei – Sucker Punch Productions / Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Hades II – Supergiant Games
- Hollow Knight: Silk Song – Team Cherry
- South of Midnight – Compulsion Games / Xbox Game Studios
- Gaming Magazine Fan Favorite Awardd
- Date everything! – Sassy Chap Games / Team17
- Dead by Daylight: Steady Pulse – Behavioral Interactive
- Hades II – Supergiant Games
- Hollow Knight: Silk Song – Team Cherry
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II – Warhorse Studios / Deep Silver
- Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Don’t Nod
- Best LGBTQ+ Character Award
- sir hans capon Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- eddie and bolt, Date everything!
- Kat Mikaelsen Lost Records Bloom & Rage
- Melinoe, Hades II
- Olella Rose, Dead by Daylight
- Samar, Spirit Swap
- Best LGBTQ+ Indie Game Award
- Date everything! – Sassy Chap Games / Team17
- Monster Prom 4: Monster Con – Beautiful Glitch
- Quantum Witch – NikkiJay
- Spirit Swap – Soft Not Weak LLC
- Tales of Seikyu – ACE Entertainment / Fireshine Games
- Beekeeper’s Picnic – Wonder Room Game
- Industry Diversity Award
- interactive behavior
- please don’t nod
- Out Making Game (OMG)
- riot games
- Community Impact Award
- boston gamers
- Gamers iNC
- gamer night
- new york gamers
- queer tea gamer
- slay station
- Best LGBTQ+ Contribution to Esports Award
- British Esports Federation
- cora kennedy
- team liquid
- VALORANT Game Changer
- LGBTQ+ Voice Actor of the Year Award
- allegra clarke
- Jay Taylor
- jennifer english
- michael lortz
- robin holdaway
- tobias weatherburn
- Queer Geek Entertainment of the Year Award
- Dimension 20: Dungeons & Drag Queens, Season 2 – Dropout
- Harley Quinn: Season 5 – DC
- Hazbin Hotel: Season 2 – Amazon
- Stranger Things: Season 5 – Netflix
- The Mighty Nein – Amazon MGM Studios, Critical Role & Tit
- The Last of Us: Season 2 – HBO
- Gaming Awards Creator Honors
- LGBTQ+ Content Creator of the Year Award
- Artemire Gaming
- Briz
- Boiefrand
- Gh coffee
- Hyjures
- Koijay
- Fern
- lavinia
- LGBTQ+ Breakout Creator of the Year Award
- devo glare
- High Moon X
- Caco Coliseum
- olly dreamer
- philip croft
- retro wolf
- funko beard
- Will Jinkees
The Gaming Awards will premiere on Monday, June 8thth2026 will be revealed exclusively on WOW Presents Plus, with award highlights shared across Gayming’s social media accounts.
For more information about the Gaming Awards, please visit: gamingword.com Follow Gayming Magazine on all socials @gaymingmag
Image via Gaming Magazine
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