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Valve has officially opened the Steam Awards 2025, inviting players to celebrate their favorite games of the year. Fans can nominate titles in eleven categories, from the prestigious Game of the Year to the playful Best Game You Suck At Award. Nominating games also earns players a Steam badge, making participation fun and rewarding.
This annual event lets players directly decide which games get recognized. Whether it’s a narrative-driven masterpiece, a challenging multiplayer title, or a relaxing escape, the Steam Awards highlight the experiences that defined 2025.
How to Nominate Your Favorites
Players can submit nominations until December 1 at 10 AM Pacific / 2AM MYT, giving them plenty of time to select their favorite games. After the nomination period, the finalists will appear for voting during the Steam Winter Sale, and winners will be announced on January 3, 2026, at 10 AM Pacific / 2AM MYT.
The process is simple. Players select the games they believe deserve recognition, and they immediately unlock the Steam Awards Nomination Committee Badge. Completing extra tasks, like playing nominated games or posting reviews, helps level up the badge and adds more rewards.
A Category for Every Gamer
The Steam Awards feature categories that appeal to all players. The Game of the Year Award honors immersive gameplay, strong characters, and addictive mechanics. The VR Game of the Year Award celebrates experiences that push virtual reality boundaries, while the Labor of Love Award recognizes older titles that developers continue to support.
Other categories highlight different gaming experiences. The Best Game on Steam Deck celebrates portable titles, and Better With Friends showcases multiplayer experiences at their best. Outstanding Visual Style rewards distinctive graphics, Most Innovative Gameplay highlights creative mechanics, and Best Game You Suck At challenges player persistence. Best Soundtrack, Outstanding Story-Rich Game, and Sit Back and Relax round out the lineup with music, narrative, and relaxing gameplay.
Earning Your Steam Awards Badge
Players earn the Steam Awards Nomination Committee Badge by nominating games. Selecting at least one game unlocks level one, while completing additional tasks, such as playing nominated titles or posting reviews, helps level up further.
Skipping categories still contributes to badge progress. Each badge level grants 25 XP, and players can track their progress on the Steam badges page. This system keeps the awards experience both fun and rewarding.
Rules and Tips for Nominations
Any non-limited Steam account can nominate games, though eligibility depends on the category. Most categories require games released after last year’s Autumn Sale, while the Labor of Love Award covers older games that still receive developer support, excluding previous winners.
Players can nominate a single game in multiple categories and edit their choices anytime before the deadline. They can also share nominations with friends through a generated link, making it easy to discuss and compare selections.
Make Your Voice Heard
The Steam Awards give players the power to decide which games shine in 2025. From challenging titles to relaxing escapes, the awards let fans highlight the experiences they enjoyed most.
By nominating and voting, players ensure their favorite games receive recognition. Whether championing innovative gameplay, gripping stories, or addictive multiplayer, participation shapes which titles stand out this year. Vote now here.
