Only 20 games will make the final countdown, but the competition is already looking fierce. The PC Gaming Show 2026 nominee list brings together major RPGs, horror favorites, ambitious sequels and smaller projects that could surprise viewers. Better yet, the December event promises more than a ranking.
PC Gamer has published the candidates for its upcoming PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted broadcast. However, being nominated does not mean a game has secured a place in the final 20. That distinction makes the newly revealed longlist an interesting preview rather than a collection of confirmed winners.
PC Gaming Show 2026 will reveal its top 20 games on December 3
Organized by PC Gamer magazine, the PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted returns on Thursday, December 3, 2026. Frankie Ward will host the presentation, which combines a countdown of anticipated PC games with announcements and conversations involving developers.
Here are the essential viewing details for anyone planning to follow the broadcast live:
- Date: Thursday, December 3, 2026.
- Pacific time: 12 PM PT.
- Eastern time: 3 PM ET.
- United Kingdom: 8 PM GMT.
- Central Europe: 9 PM CET.
- Where to watch: PC Gamer’s YouTube, Twitch and Steam channels.
- Main host: Frankie Ward.
- Format: A countdown of 20 anticipated PC games, alongside world premieres, DLC announcements, updates, release dates and developer interviews.
One important adjustment separates this edition from the previous format. Instead of highlighting 25 games, organizers have reduced the countdown to 20. The intention is straightforward: give every selected title more room during the presentation.
Consequently, viewers can expect a more focused ranking without losing the additional announcements that make these broadcasts worth watching.
The nominee list brings together major RPGs and returning favorites
The longlist offers an unusually varied selection. Familiar franchises appear alongside new projects, while remakes and long-awaited follow-ups add another dimension to the competition. PC Gamer has presented the candidates alphabetically, so their position in the published list reveals nothing about their chances.
Among the standout nominees worth keeping an eye on are:
- Major fantasy and role-playing games: The Witcher 4, The Witcher Remake, Persona 6, Final Fantasy VII Revelation, Divinity and Fable.
- Science fiction and action: Exodus, Clockwork Revolution, Marvel’s Blade, Judas and Metro 2039.
- Horror and darker adventures: Alien: Isolation 2, Resident Evil Veronica, Lords of the Fallen II and The Wolf Among Us 2.
- Returning franchises: Max Payne Remake, State of Decay 3, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin.
- Strategy and ambitious worlds: Frostpunk: 1886, Total War: Warhammer 40,000, Light No Fire and Guild Wars 3.
- Other intriguing candidates: Black Myth: Zhong Kui, Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember, Stellar Blade: Blood Rain, Haunted Chocolatier and Thief: The Dark Project Remastered.
This is a selection, not the complete nominee list or a predicted ranking. Readers who want to explore every candidate can consult the full alphabetical list published by PC Gamer.
PC Gaming Show uses a Council vote rather than a public popularity poll
The selection process is particularly interesting because Steam popularity alone cannot determine the final result. PC Gamer initially considers factors such as wishlist numbers, compelling trailers and enthusiasm among its editorial team. These help establish which upcoming games deserve consideration.
The resulting longlist contains fewer than 100 titles. Some previously considered games have already launched, while others were canceled before the broadcast. Therefore, not every original candidate remains eligible.
Next comes The Council, a group featuring journalists, developers, celebrities, content creators and streamers. Members score games that interest them on a scale from one to five. A score of one represents mild curiosity, while five indicates particularly strong anticipation. Not voting for a title counts as zero.
The number of Council members voting for a game also helps resolve ties between equal average scores. Additional considerations can affect the weighting, including how long a project has gone without meaningful news.
This creates an important distinction for viewers. A recognizable franchise might attract considerable attention, but its name alone does not guarantee a place. Likewise, an unexpected candidate could earn strong support from Council members.
The most interesting competition goes beyond familiar blockbuster names
Rather than trying to predict an undisclosed ranking, it is more useful to look at the different kinds of anticipation represented here. The Witcher 4 and Persona 6 offer recognizable names, while projects such as Light No Fire and Haunted Chocolatier bring different expectations to the discussion.
The Witcher 4 has already demonstrated its appeal in another awards setting. Among the Golden Joystick Awards 2026 winners, it took the Most Wanted Game award. Nevertheless, that recognition does not determine how The Council will vote in this separate event.
Meanwhile, Thief: The Dark Project Remastered provides a different reason to pay attention. Its nomination comes alongside renewed interest in Garrett, whose original performer Stephen Russell is returning. The story of the familiar voice behind Garrett’s return shows why that reunion matters to longtime fans.
These examples show why the PC Gaming Show longlist is more interesting than a straightforward contest between famous franchises. Anticipation can come from a beloved character, a distinctive concept or the possibility of discovering something unexpected.
December’s presentation will offer more than a list of winners
There is another reason not to judge the PC Gaming Show solely by its eventual top 20. PC Gamer is also promising world premieres, DLC reveals, game updates, release dates and developer interviews. Those announcements are separate from the ranking and could become some of the event’s biggest talking points.
For viewers, that suggests two ways to enjoy the show. First, follow the countdown to discover which games earned the strongest recognition. Then, watch for fresh information about projects that may not have appeared among the highlighted nominees.
Ultimately, PC Gaming Show 2026 arrives with a simple question that should make its December 3 countdown entertaining: will established franchises dominate the final selection, or will less obvious projects earn some of those 20 valuable spots? For now, the nominees give PC players plenty to discuss without spoiling the reveal.
Creator of the website, Pokemon trainer by nature. Trying to report on everything related to the world of video games, series and movies. Yu-Gi-Oh is my weakness, collecting cards since the dawn of time.
