As the year draws to a close, the gaming community finds itself in the midst of award season, a time when accolades and recognition take center stage. The Golden Joysticks have recently concluded their festivities, and anticipation builds for The Game Awards. In the meantime, gamers can now cast their nominations for the 2025 Steam Awards.
Nominating for the Steam Awards
This year, Valve has introduced a new approach to the nomination process. Traditionally held during the Steam Autumn Sale, the nominations will now coincide with the inaugural Black Friday Sale. This strategic shift allows for a seamless transition into the Winter Sale, ensuring that gamers have ample opportunity to participate.
The nomination interface has been designed for ease of use, presenting players with a list of eligible games they have played in 2025. Additionally, it offers a selection of “popular and recommended games” for those who prefer to align their choices with the crowd rather than solely on personal enjoyment.
However, some users have noted peculiarities in the eligibility criteria for certain categories. For instance, the “Best Game You Suck At” category has left some players puzzled, as they find themselves unable to nominate games they feel they are not skilled at, despite having played numerous titles. Similarly, the “Best Soundtrack Award” has raised eyebrows, with some players discovering that only a limited selection of their played games qualifies, even when they know other eligible titles exist.
Fortunately, the nomination process remains flexible. Players can write in any game released in 2025 or earlier for the “Labor of Love” category, allowing for a broad range of nominations. This means that even unconventional choices, like nominating Bongo Cat for the Outstanding Story-Rich Game Award, are welcomed and encouraged.
On a positive note, the “Sit Back and Relax” category appears to accurately reflect the laid-back gaming experiences of many players, showcasing titles like Bongo Cat, Herdling, and Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted. This consistency in some categories contrasts with the randomness observed in others, prompting curiosity about the underlying selection criteria.
Gamers have until December 1 to submit their nominations for the 2025 Steam Awards. As in previous years, participants will earn the “Steam Awards Nomination Committee” badge, which can be upgraded through various tasks. Voting on the five finalists in each category will commence during the Steam Winter Sale, starting December 14, with winners announced at the conclusion of the sale on January 3.
