Skip to main content

The Steam Awards: winners and nominees

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).

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.

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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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

“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.

“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.

“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.”

Editors' Recommendations

Sam Hill
Sam Hill is a journalist and the gaming guides editor at Digital Trends. He's also written tech guides for Input and has…
Nvidia kills off GameStream on Shield, points users to Steam
Nvidia Shield 16gb Android TV

Nvidia is discontinuing its GameStream service on its Shield and Shield TV streaming boxes (among the best streaming devices on the market). In an email sent to GameStream users, the company announced it would start rolling out an update in mid-February that removes GameStream from the Nvidia Games app.

GameStream has allowed Shield owners to stream games to their TV from their PC at up to 60 frames per second in 4K. Specifically, the app was designed with Steam's Big Picture interface in mind, allowing you to play Steam games with ease (dubbed "GameStream Ready"). Nvidia is pointing users to the Steam Link app available on the Shield TV, which functions in a similar way.

Read more
The Game Awards 2022: how to watch and what to expect
The Game Awards 2022 trophy art.

The Game Awards are finally here. Which 2022 title will take home the coveted Game of the Year title? Which deserving studios will be snubbed? And what surprise announcements await gamers who turn up to watch the show live?

Event founder and gaming show host extraordinaire Geoff Keighley has started teasing what we'll get at the Game Awards this year outside of award announcements and there are some exciting games we expect to learn more about, like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Final Fantasy 16.

Read more
Microsoft’s price hike on Xbox games will apply to PC, Steam
Redfall Cover

Microsoft confirmed to Digital Trends that the impending price increase on its first-party games will apply to its PC releases as well. The change will happen in 2023 and affect upcoming titles like Starfield, Redfall, and Forza Motorsport.

This morning, IGN reported that Microsoft will be raising the prices of Xbox Series X|S games from $60 to $70. Digital Trends asked Microsoft if this would also apply to the PC versions of its games. A Microsoft spokesperson said, "Yes, starting in 2023, our new, full-priced games will be $69.99 across console and PC storefronts. This price reflects the content, scale, and complexity of these titles, regardless of platform. These games will also be available on day one with Game Pass.”

Read more