Steam Awards 2025: Full List of Categories, Rules, and Upcoming Nominees

The Steam Awards 2025 are among the most community-focused events in the gaming world. It unites millions of players who cast their votes for the best games of their choice across a variety of genres and playing experiences. We do not yet know Valve's official shortlist, but the categories it has prepared, the nomination rules, and the timetable for announcements are all confirmed.

While fans are looking forward to the Steam Awards Results, the nomination phase is currently determining which games will be on the final ballot. In the absence of the nominees' posting, here is what we are aware of, together with a table that allows for nominating names and developers and can be updated conveniently.

How do the Steam Awards 2025 Handle Their Nominations?

The Steam Awards concept is entirely community-driven. Players can nominate any game that meets the Steam rules, and they do not have to choose from a limited selection; they can pick any game on the platform. Except for Labor of Love, which allows older games, the other ones require that the titles have been released after the last Autumn Sale.

After the voting period ends, Valve reviews all the submissions and announces the official finalists. Valve will reveal the finalists for the Steam Awards 2025 on December 18. After that, the community will vote again to decide the winners.

All Steam Awards 2025 Categories

The following are the categories the Steam Awards will cover in 2025, each one described briefly in a separate section.

Game of the Year

With this trophy, the world calls out the single title that most strongly represented the video game culture during 2025, the game that was extraordinarily played, innovated, and created unforgettable moments.

VR Game of the Year

This award aims to recognise the most immersive virtual reality experience of the year 2025; thus, it acknowledges the VR titles that have set new challenges for the technology.

Labor of Love

Games that have been supported for a long time keep updating with fresh content, patches, and upgrades, and are a fan-favourite category of the Steam Awards 2025.

Best Game on Steam Deck

A specific category for titles that provide good performance, controls, and portability on the Steam Deck is Best Game on Steam Deck.

Better With Friends

This award is given to the best cooperative or social gaming experiences, the games that become richer with the company of others.

Best Game You Suck At

For difficult games that test player skill, even though players are weak, it is a hallmark category of the Steam Awards.

Outstanding Visual Style

This award represents the artistic aspect of the game, with the main criteria being the game's visual elements rather than technical accuracy.

Best Soundtrack

First of all, this award is aimed at the most impactful and memorable musical theme from a game released during the time period the Steam Awards 2025 considers for eligibility.

Most Innovative Gameplay

Titles that introduced radical mechanisation of the game, brought forth fresh gameplay ideas, or created the first examples of a new genre, were nominated for this award first of all.

Outstanding Story-Rich Game

A category that only has titles as its content, which provide exceptional narrative, character development, and emotional impact.

Sit Back & Relax

The award for this category goes to the games that provide intimate, tranquil, stress-free experiences for unwinding, and which have recently been more and more by Steam users.

When Will the Steam Awards 2025 Nominees Be Revealed?

Valve will reveal the entire list of nominees for the Steam

The nominees for the Steam Awards 2025 will be revealed on:

• December 18, 2025 – during the Steam Winter Sale
• Once the nominees are decided, Valve publishes the nominations on the dedicated Steam Awards page
• The voters can cast their ballots on the website once nominations have been made
• Steam Awards Results will be announced January 3, 2026

We will instantly update the nominee table above once Valve announces the full ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌lineup.

When and Where Will the Steam Awards 2025 Take Place?

The announcement of winners takes place on January 3, 2026, at 10 AM PT on the official Steam page.

If you’re exploring more standout titles on the platform, check out our list of the best Free Horror Games on Steam: Our Top 10 Picks for some terrifyingly good options