First annual Steam awards nominees have been finalized

It’s, uh, it’s a list, all right

Y’know what, guys? Turns out Steam is pretty popular. Over 15 million people participated in nominating games for the Steam awards this year. That’s pretty good for a set of awards that didn’t exist and no one knew about a few weeks ago.

Voting for the awards will begin on December 22, with one category being voted on per day all the way up to December 30. It’s a safe bet that the winners of each category will get some kind of discount in the Steam store. It’s a little strange that the nominees don’t need to be from the current year, but I guess it’s Valve’s party and Valve’s rules. The list of categories and nominees are as follows:

The “Villain Most In Need Of A Hug” Award (December 22)

• Borderlands 2
• Dead by Daylight
• Far Cry 3
• Far Cry 4
• Portal 2

 Some people just need a hug.

The “I Thought This Game Was Cool Before It Won An Award” Award (December 23)

• Euro Truck Simulator 2
• Paladins
• Starbound
• Stardew Valley
• Unturned

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.

The “Test of Time” Award (December 24)

• Age of Empires II HD
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
• Sid Meier’s Civilization V
• Team Fortress 2
• Terraria

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.

The “Just 5 More Minutes” Award (December 25)

• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
• Rocket League
• Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
• Fallout 4
• Terraria

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.

The “Whoooaaaaaaa, dude!” Award (December 26)

• Bioshock Infinite
• DOOM
• Grand Theft Auto V
• Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

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.

The “Game Within A Game Award” Award (December 27)

• Garry’s Mod
• Grand Theft Auto V
• The Stanley Parable
• Tabletop Simulator
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

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.

The “I’m Not Crying, There’s Something In My Eye” Award (December 28)

• Life Is Strange
• To the Moon
• This War of Mine
• Undertale
• The Walking Dead

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 nonetheless.

The “Best Use Of A Farm Animal” Award (December 29)

• ARK: Survival Evolved
• Blood and Bacon
• Farming Simulator 17
• Goat Simulator
• Stardew Valley

Animals are rad and almost any game is better for including them. This game used a farm animal in the best way possible.

On December 30, the rules change a bit. There will be four categories simultaneously, and voters will be able to choose one game from each category.

The “Boom Boom” Award

• BroForce
• DOOM
• Just Cause 3
• Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes 
• Kerbal Space Program

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.

The “Love/Hate Relationship” Award 

• Dark Souls III
• Darkest Dungeon
• Dota 2
• Geometry Dash
• Super Meat Boy

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.”

The “Sit Back and Relax” Award 

• ABZU
• Cities Skylines
• Euro Truck Simulator 2
• Mini Metro
• Viridi

Did you read the description for the “Love/Hate Relationship” Award? This is the opposite. 

The “Better With Friends” Award 

• Don’t Starve Together 
• Gang Beasts
• Golf With Your Friends
• Left 4 Dead 2
• Magicka

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.

Every day at 10 AM Pacific time, a new category will be available for voting. Winners will be announced on December 31. Maybe I’m just a cynical jerkface, but this just seems like a slightly different format for the annual Steam winter sale. Still, it’s nice to know what’s going to be on sale ahead of time for a change.

THE STEAM AWARDS: Finalists announced, voting to commence Dec 22nd [Steam]