Steam is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, video game platforms and marketplaces in the gaming industry. Created by Valve, it is home to some of the best games in early access, Valve titles like Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, and Team Fortress 2.
The Steam Awards are accolades presented to video game titles, and the sole deciders who choose the nominees and then the subsequent winners. The categories for the awards are some of the most unique and are not identical to any other award category at other gaming events. The 2023 Steam Awards nominees have finally been revealed, and while some were expected, others seem to be making a surprise appearance.
Steam Awards Categories with Surprise Nominees for 2023
Steam Awards 2023 has the following categories and respective nominees :
- Game of the Year Award: as the name suggests, it is for the best game released in 2023 on Steam
- Lethal Company
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- EA Sports FC 24
- Resident Evil 4
As visible, this category has one title that could surprise many, EA Sports FC 24. The game is the latest entry in a yearly sports game franchise developed by EA Sports. Despite the title attempting to provide new gameplay offerings like Precision Passing, PlayStyles, and HyperMotion V, they offer very little to love about the title. This has also caused a lot of rage for players of all levels of seriousness.
- VR Game of the Year Award: this category aims to celebrate the games that stood while offering the immersion of VR.
- Ghosts of Tabor
- Labyrinthine
- F1® 23
- I Expect You To Die 3: Cog in the Machine
- Gorilla Tag
We see some expected candidates in this category, but F1 2023‘s addition has been shocking. Various complaints have occurred about the game’s optimization in the VR environment. While it is not a bad game overall, it could certainly use some work in the VR department.
- Labor of Love Award: games that have been out, but have received support and new content from the developers.
- Deep Rock Galactic
- Apex Legends™
- Rust
- Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 might be surprising in a category with multiplayer primary games. That is because the title is most certainly known for its single-player campaign. However, Red Dead Online happens to be widely supported by Rockstar Games even to date.
- Best Game on Steam Deck Award: Steam Deck is Valve’s handheld gaming PC, which runs on Steam OS; these are games optimized for the same.
- Hogwarts Legacy
- The Outlast Trials
- Dredge
- Brotato
- Diablo 4
Hogwarts Legacy isn’t a game known for its optimization; it is far from it. The game has historically had optimization issues. Also, the game isn’t very well optimized on the Deck either; it averages around 3-35 fps on low settings at 720p with frame time spikes.
Other Categories and Nominees for Steam Awards 2023
There were also other categories with reasonably expected nominees nominated by Steam users. There were the following:
- Better With Friends Award: this category is for games that offer fun co-op or PVP experiences with friends
- Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
- Lethal Company
- Sons Of The Forest
- Sunkenland
- Party Animals
- Outstanding Visual Style Award: these are games that look amazing in design
- High on Life
- Inward
- Atomic Heart
- Cocoon
- Darkest Dungeon® II
- Most Innovative Gameplay Award: these games went the extra mile in gameplay
- Your Only Move Is HUSTLE
- Remnant II
- Starfield
- Contraband Police
- Shadows of Doubt
- Best Game You Suck At Award: this category is for games that require countless hours of grinding
- Sifu
- Overwatch 2
- Lords of the Fallen
- Street Fighter 6
- EA Sports FC 24
- Best Soundtrack Award: these games have exceptional audio design.
- Pizza Tower
- Chants of Sennaar
- Hi-Fi Rush
- The Last of Us Part 1
- Persona 5 Tactica
- Outstanding Story-Rich Game Award: these titles tell some fantastic stories
- Lies of P
- Resident Evil 4
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Love Is All Around
- Star Wars Jedi Survivor
- Sit Back and Relax Award: these titles are best suited for enjoying a peaceful gaming session.
- Train Sim World 4
- Coral Island
- Cities Skylines II
- Dave the Diver
- Potion Craft
Since the users vote for the Steam Awards, some unpopular opinions will always be reflected in the nominees and the winners. Regardless, it is worth appreciating that Steam Awards offers a platform for users to nominate and vote for their favorite games.
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