Steam Awards 2025 Highlight Player Choice Over Industry Panels

As the calendar turns, award season once again takes hold across the video game industry. While events like The Game Awards dominate headlines through jury-led decisions, Valve’s annual Steam Awards stand apart by placing the spotlight squarely in the hands of players.

Voted entirely by the Steam community, the Steam Awards 2025 reflect what players actually spent their time with over the past year, and this year’s results delivered a clear statement of intent.

Hollow Knight Silksong Takes Game of the Year

Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight: Silksong emerged as the biggest winner this time around, claiming the coveted Game of the Year title. Often described as the Indie GTA due to its cultural impact and release gravity, Silksong triumphed over heavyweight contenders, including the critically lauded Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Silksong also secured a second win in the “Best Game You Suck At” category, underlining both its challenge and its lasting appeal.

Unlike many award shows that balance public voting with industry panels, every category is decided purely by user votes. Nominations were submitted by players, with final voting held between December 19, 2025, and January 4, 2026.

This community-driven approach often results in a markedly different winners list, and 2025 proved no exception.

Full Steam Awards 2025 Winners List

Game of the Year: Hollow Knight: Silksong
VR Game of the Year: The Midnight Walk
Labor of Love: Baldur’s Gate 3
Best Game on Steam Deck: Hades II
Better With Friends: PEAK
Outstanding Visual Style: Silent Hill f
Most Innovative Gameplay: Arc Raiders
Best Game You Suck At: Hollow Knight: Silksong
Best Soundtrack Award: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Outstanding Story-Rich Game: Dispatch
Sit Back and Relax: RV There Yet?

Physical Trophies and Storefront Recognition

Valve confirmed that physical trophies will be sent to each winning developer, alongside digital Steam Awards badges that studios can display on their store pages. These badges often serve as long-term visibility boosts, particularly during the various seasonal sales.

For Team Cherry, Silksong’s wins further cement its position as one of the most influential releases of the year, driven entirely by player sentiment rather than industry consensus. And as long as there is a community around your title, there is always the opportunity for further recognition.