The annual nomination phase for the prestigious Steam Awards 2025 has kicked off on the Steam digital platform. This year, users once again have the chance to decide which projects deserve to be recognized as the industry’s best video games. The list of categories includes both traditional nominations and new directions that reflect current trends in gaming.
Gamers can vote for titles that launched on Steam during the current year. The contenders include hit releases like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Stellar Blade, as well as lesser-known projects that have won players’ hearts. Each user can select their favorites in eleven different categories, including “Game of the Year,” “Best Visual Style,” “Most Innovative Gameplay,” and more.
Voting will run until December 1, ending at 9:00 PM Moscow time. After that, the final stage will begin, during which the winners in each category will be determined. The results of the awards will be announced on January 3, 2026, when the organizers officially reveal the names of the winners.
Categories and Features of the Award
This year, the organizers invited participants to choose the best in categories such as ‘VR Game of the Year,’ ‘Labor of Love,’ ‘Best Game on Steam Deck,’ ‘Better With Friends,’ ‘Most Challenging Game,’ ‘Best Soundtrack,’ and ‘Outstanding Story-Rich Game.’ This wide range of categories allows not only major blockbusters to be recognized, but also niche projects that have impressed players with their originality or atmosphere.
Special attention is given to games that showcase the potential of new technologies and platforms. For example, the Steam Deck category highlights the significance of portable gaming, while the VR Games category reflects the growing interest in virtual reality. In each category, users can support both major studios and independent developers.
How voting works and what participants can expect
To take part in the voting, you just need to have a Steam account. After logging in, users can select one game in each of the available categories. The system allows you to change your choice until voting ends, letting you support new releases or update your preferences as fresh projects come out.
After the first stage is completed, the organizers will tally the results and compile shortlists of finalists. In the second stage, users will be able to vote again, but this time among a limited number of candidates. This approach ensures maximum transparency and community engagement in selecting the winners.
Past winners and expectations for the 2025 awards
Last year, the title of Game of the Year went to Black Myth: Wukong, which was also recognized in the categories ‘Best Game You Just Can’t Get Into’ and ‘Outstanding Story-Rich Game.’ The final shortlist featured projects like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, Balatro, and Helldivers 2, highlighting the high level of competition and the diversity of genres.
In 2025, both experts and players expect the competition for the top honors to be just as fierce. Even now, discussions are already buzzing with mention of major franchises as well as surprising indie hits. The results of the awards traditionally spark lively debates in the gaming community and serve as a benchmark for the industry’s future development.
Valve is an American company founded in 1996, best known as the developer of iconic games like Half-Life, Portal, and Counter-Strike. However, the company’s greatest success came with the digital distribution platform Steam, which has become the world’s largest marketplace for buying, downloading, and discussing video games. The annual Steam Awards have been held since 2016 and are considered one of the most significant user-driven honors in the gaming industry.
