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The Steam Awards: winners and nominees

Sam Hill
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The gamers have spoken and all the votes for the 2022 Steam Awards are in. Did your favorite game win Game of the Year? Did that live service title that keeps getting killer updates win the unique “Labor of Love” award? We’ve got a list of all 2022 Steam Award winners and nominees below.

Further reading

How does voting work for the Steam Awards?

The Steam Awards are finally here to round out the 2022 video game accolades season. Unlike the Game Awards, which are decided by a panel of select game critics, the Steam Awards are decided entirely by fan votes from gamers (making it a bit more fun, in our opinion).

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In addition to standard awards like Game of the Year and Best Soundtrack, the Steam Awards also includes more unique categories like “Better With Friends” and “Best Game You Suck At.” On top of that, the awards are for games that made their way to Steam throughout the year, including titles previously released on console that were released on PC for the first time this year. You won’t see God of War Ragnarök at this show, but you will see the original God of War game.

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Voters were able to cast their votes from from December 22 until January 3.

Full list of nominees

Game of the Year

Multiple players dueling in Elden Ring.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

“Maybe it was its immersive gameplay, or its gripping story … its well-crafted characters, immaculate design, or addictive multiplayer. Whatever the reason, the winner of this year’s Game of the Year Award is an instant classic,” Steam says on its website.

VR Game of the Year

Agent 47 in Hitman 3.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

“The VR Game of the Year isn’t merely masquerading as regular reality. This game improves on reality, taking advantage of the medium of VR and pushing the boundaries of the virtual realm.”

  • Winner — Hitman 3
  • BONELAB
  • Green Hell VR
  • Among Us VR
  • Inside the Backrooms

Labor of Love

An enemy swings a sword at the main character of Cyberpunk 2077.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

“This game has been out for a while. The team is well past the debut of their creative baby, but being the good parents they are, these devs continue to nurture and support their creation. This game, to this day, is still getting new content after all these years.”

  • Winner — Cyberpunk 2077
  • DOTA 2
  • Project Zomboid
  • No Man’s Sky
  • Deep Rock Galactic

Better With Friends

A player-built-raft in the Ocean in Raft.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

“There are some games out there that just aren’t the same when you play by yourself. Maybe you need to have a friend to watch your back. Maybe you need to have a friend that you can stab in their back. Either way, fun is awaiting those who gather friends together play this game.”

Outstanding Visual Style

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Marvel

“Visual style doesn’t aspire to real-world graphical fidelity (though a noble goal in itself) … it describes a distinctive look and feel that suffuses an entire game.”

Most Innovative Gameplay

Stray's cat protagonist standing in front of a neon lit city.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

“The designers of this game are at the front lines of creative experimentation, bringing a fresh perspective and brain-breaking surprises. This game delighted, inspired, and entertained with newness never played before.”

  • Winner — Stray
  • Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
  • Teardown
  • Neon White
  • Dome Keeper

Best Game You Suck At

Four players fight in an Elden Ring colosseum.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

“This is the game that rewards persistence, and is not for the faint of heart. It’s the toughest game we’ve ever loved.”

  • Winner — Elden Ring
  • GTFO
  • Victoria 3
  • Total War: Warhammer III
  • FIFA 23

Best Soundtrack

Yuffie from Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

“This unsung hero deserves to be recognized for its outstanding musical score. It’s the OST with the MOST!”

Outstanding Story-Rich Game

God of War review | Kratos and Atreus arrive at a large tree
Image used with permission by copyright holder

“Some days, only a narrative-heavy game will hit the spot, and this one packs a wallop. It’s as gripping as any soap opera, and as well-tuned as a prestige-TV screenplay. Bravissimo — for making us feel things!”

  • Winner — God of War
  • A Plague Tale: Requiem
  • Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection
  • The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
  • Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered

Sit Back and Relax

Lando and R2D2 stand by a Bantha in Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

“This game is the antidote to a busy day. It’s smooth, it’s relaxing, it lets your worries melt away. This game is your moment of zen.”

  • Winner — LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
  • PowerWash Simulator
  • Disney Dreamlight Valley
  • Dorfromantik
  • Slime Rancher 2

Best Game on the Go

Sam Bridges stands with the child he must carry with him.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

“This game was so good, you wanted to take it everywhere. So you did! And luckily, everything that made it endlessly playable at your desk got even better on the go.”

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Sam Hill
Sam Hill
Gaming Guides Editor
Sam Hill is a journalist and the gaming guides editor at Digital Trends. He's also written tech guides for Input and has…
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