The bean counters at Steam have tabulated your nominations and announced the finalists for the first-ever Steam Awards. We don’t know if this is something the game retailer plans to do every year, but we’ll all be able to cast our votes later this week.
Voting for the Steam Awards will begin on Thursday, December 22, at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time) with “The ‘Villain Most In Need Of A Hug’ Award.” Fans will have 24 hours to choose between Borderlands 2, Dead by Daylight, Far Cry 3, Far Cry 4, and Portal 2. Voting for a new category will open up once a day until Friday, December 30, which is when Steam will open up voting for the fan-created categories.
The winners will be announced on New Year’s Eve, and the complete list of finalists can be found after the break.
The “Villain Most In Need Of A Hug” Award
Voting Begins: Thursday, December 22, at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Some people just need a hug.
- Borderlands 2
- Dead by Daylight
- Far Cry 3
- Far Cry 4
- Portal 2
The “I Thought This Game Was Cool Before It Won An Award” Award
Voting Begins: Friday, December 23, at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
This title didn’t have a huge marketing machine behind it, but you found it and loved it. Then you told your friends about it. And they loved it. And now that little game that could is about to win an Award… but always remember: you totally found it first.
- Euro Truck Simulator 2
- Paladins
- Starbound
- Stardew Valley
- Unturned
The “Test of Time” Award
Voting Begins: Saturday, December 24, at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
This Award is for the game that is just as good today as the day you first played it. Newer games may come out, but it doesn’t matter… you’ll always come back to play this one.
- Age of Empires II HD
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Sid Meier’s Civilization V
- Team Fortress 2
- Terraria
The “Just 5 More Minutes” Award
Voting Begins: Sunday, December 25, at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
You have an early day tomorrow. You need to get some sleep, so you’re just going finish one more thing before you decide to tuck in for the night. Just one more. Wait, one more. What’s that you say? It’s 2:30 AM? This Award is for the game that keeps you playing late.
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Rocket League
- Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
- Fallout 4
- Terraria
The “Whoooaaaaaaa, Dude” Award
Voting Begins: Monday, December 26, at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Some games melt your face. Maybe it was a crazy plot twist. Maybe you just got your wisdom teeth removed. Either way, this game BLOWS YOUR MIND.
- BioShock Infinite
- Doom
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The “Game Within A Game” Award
Voting Begins: Tuesday, December 27, at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Kinder Eggs. Peanut Butter Cups. Jelly Donuts. All great things stuffed with other great things. Like a mighty turducken, this Award celebrates the best mini game hidden within another game.
- Garry’s Mod
- Grand Theft Auto V
- The Stanley Parable
- Tabletop Simulator
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The “I’m Not Crying, There’s Something In My Eye” Award
Voting Begins: Wednesday, December 28, at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Games are fun. But sometimes games become more than that, and touch you in a way you weren’t expecting. This Award celebrates the game that blindsided you emotionally. You weren’t expecting to cry. It wasn’t in the plan. But it happened none the less.
- Life Is Strange
- To the Moon
- This War of Mine
- Undertale
- The Walking Dead
The “Best Use Of A Farm Animal” Award
Voting Begins: Thursday, December 29, at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Animals are rad and almost any game is better for including them. However this game used a farm animal in the best way possible.
- Ark: Survival Evolved
- Blood and Bacon
- Farming Simulator 17
- Goat Simulator
- Stardew Valley
The “Boom Boom” Award
Voting Begins: Friday, December 30, at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Let’s face it: explosions are pretty great. In a blockbuster movie they’re thrilling. In a celebration with fireworks they’re beautiful. And when they’re behind a cop putting on sunglasses they’re nothing short of glorious. These games understand the fine art of detonation.
- Broforce
- Doom
- Just Cause 3
- Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
- Kerbal Space Program
The “Love/Hate Relationship” Award
Voting Begins: Friday, December 30, at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
“Games are just supposed to be fun!”… oh sweet summer child, your naivety is adorable. Games can be more than fun. They can be challenges that demand perfection. These games are punishing gauntlets that make you question your very skill… a crucible that will push you either to greatness or a breaking point. You will wake up family members as you scream. Words will come out of your mouth that would make your mom blush. Your chill friends will ask you, “Why do you play something that stresses you out?”… and you will stare at them with steely eyes and reply, “Because I love it.”
- Dark Souls III
- Darkest Dungeon
- Dota 2
- Geometry Dash
- Super Meat Boy
The “Sit Back and Relax” Award
Voting Begins: Friday, December 30, at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Did you read the description for the “Love/Hate Relationship” Award? This is the opposite.
- Abzu
- Cities Skylines
- Euro Truck Simulator 2
- Mini Metro
- Viridi
The “Better With Friends” Award
Voting Begins: Friday, December 30, at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
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 the back. Either way, mirth is awaiting those that gather friends to play these games.
- Don’t Starve Together
- Gang Beasts
- Golf With Your Friends
- Left 4 Dead 2
- Magicka
