With the Steam Winter Sale comes the annual Steam Awards. The nominees for each category have been decided by those who participated in the nominating period during the Autumn Sale. Furthermore, those who vote in the 2020 Steam Awards will earn rewards in the form of Steam Award Trading Cards. Below are the nominees for each category:
Game of the Year Award
“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 2020’s Game of the Year Award is an instant classic.”
Steam
- Red Dead Redemption II
- Hades
- Doom Eternal
- Fall Guys
- Death Stranding
VR Game of the Year Award
“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.”
Steam Awards
- Half-Life Alyx
- Phasmophobia
- The Room VR: A Dark Matter
- Thief Simulator VR
- Star Wars: Squadron
Labor of Love Award
“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.”
Steam Awards
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Among Us
- Terraria
- The Witcher III: Wild Hunt
- No Man’s Sky
Better With Friends Award
“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.”
Steam
- Fall Guys
- Sea of Thieves
- Borderlands 3
- Deep Rock Galactic
- Risk of Rain 2
Outstanding Visual Style Award
“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.”
Steam
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- Battlefield V
- There is no Game
- Marvel’s Avengers
- Black Mesa
Most Innovative Gameplay Award
“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.”
Steam
- Death Stranding
- Control Ultimate Edition
- Superliminal
- Noita
- Teardown
Best Game You Suck At Award
“This is the game that rewards persistence, and is not for the faint of heart. It’s the toughest game we’ve ever loved.”
Steam
- Apex Legends
- Crusader Kings III
- Ghostrunner
- FIFA 21
- GTFO
Best Soundtrack Award
“This unsung hero deserves to be recognized for its outstanding musical score. It’s the OST with the MOST!”
Steam
- DOOM Eternal
- Halo: The Master Chief Collection
- Helltaker
- Need for Speed Heat
- Persona 4 Golden
Outstanding Story-Rich Game Award
“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!”
Steam
- Red Dead Redemption II
- Detroit: Become Human
- Mafia: Definitive Edition
- Metro Exodus
- Horizon Zero Dawn
Sit Back and Relax Award
“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.”
Steam
- The Sims 4
- Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Satisfactory
- Untitled Goose Game
- Factorio
As for the 2020 Steam Awards rewards, voting will award you with a Steam Awards Trading card for each category in which you vote. Steam Award Trading Cards can be crafted into a Steam Award badge, but only if the full set of Steam Award Trading Cards are collected, so voting in all of the categories is encouraged.
There are, however, other ways of earning the Steam Away Trading Card including:
- As a reward for purchasing from the Steam Store
- Crafting game badges
- Browsing your Discovery Queue
- Trading with friends
- Purchasing them in the Community Market
Voting will be open until January 3, 2021 at 9AM Pacific, and the winners will be announced an hour later. You can vote for the 2020 Steam Awards here.
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