Valve officially announced the winners of The Steam Awards 2025 on January 4 (local time), following a final round of 100% user-driven voting held between December 18 and January 3. The results highlight a seismic shift in the gaming landscape: for the first time in Steam history, indie titles have almost completely outshone traditional AAA blockbusters.
The Triumph of “Silksong”: A Double Victory
The biggest story of the night belongs to Team Cherry, the tiny Australian studio behind the long-awaited Metroidvania masterpiece, Hollow Knight: Silksong. Not only did it secure the prestigious Game of the Year (GOTY) title, but it also became the only title in 2025 to win two categories.
- Game of the Year: Awarded for its immersive world, flawless character design, and addictive core mechanics.
- Best Game You Suck At: Recognized for its high but rewarding difficulty—a signature of the series.
This victory is a testament to the “Miracle of Three,” as Team Cherry consists of only three core members, proving that creative vision can surpass the sheer capital of major studios.
2025 Steam Awards: Winners at a Glance
Indie games dominated nearly every category, with critically acclaimed titles like Hades 2 and Dispatch taking home top honors.
| Category | Winner | Developer Type |
| Game of the Year | Hollow Knight: Silksong | Indie (Team Cherry) |
| Best Game on Steam Deck | Hades 2 | Indie (Supergiant Games) |
| Most Innovative Gameplay | ARC Raiders | Major (Nexon/Embark) |
| Labor of Love | Baldur’s Gate 3 | Independent (Larian Studios) |
| Outstanding Story-Rich Game | Dispatch | Indie |
| Best Soundtrack | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | AAA |
| Outstanding Visual Style | Silent Hill f | AAA |
Best Game on Steam Deck – Hades 2
Hades 2, a roguelike action game from independent developer Supergiant Games, won this category. It’s one of the highest-rated games on Steam in 2025, boasting an overwhelmingly positive 95-96% rating. Optimized for portable play, it’s been a favorite among Steam Deck users.
Better With Friends – PEAK
The online multiplayer game “Peak” won an award, demonstrating the appeal of cooperative play that captivated gamers throughout 2025. Its gameplay, optimized for enjoyment with friends, received high praise.
Sit Back and Relax – RV There Yet?
“Album There Yet?”, offering a casual multiplayer experience, won this category. It showcased the essence of casual gaming with its comfortable and fun gameplay.
VR Game of the Year – The Midnight Walk
“The Midnight Walk,” which pushes the boundaries of virtual reality beyond mere imitation of reality, won the VR category. Its unique VR experience left a lasting impression on players.
A game with an overwhelming story (Outstanding Story-Rich Game) – Dispatch
“Dispatch,” which captivated gamers with its narrative-driven gameplay, won the Story category. Its deep narrative and immersive storytelling were acclaimed.
AAA titles also show their presence
Even amidst the rise of indie games, some blockbuster titles still maintain a strong presence.
Outstanding Visual Style – Silent Hill f
‘Silent Hill F’, which received high praise for its visual perfection, won the Visual Style category.
Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Claire Obscur: Expedition 33, which garnered attention by sweeping nine categories at the 2025 Game Awards, won the Best Soundtrack award at the Steam Awards. Even months later, the rich and beautiful music remains etched in players’ memories.
Labor of Love – Baldur’s Gate 3
Larian Studios’ 2023 CRPG Baldur’s Gate III won this category. Its dedicated support for the community, including ongoing updates and the release of a native Steam Deck version, was highly praised.
Highlights: Innovation and Narrative Excellence
- Most Innovative Gameplay – ARC Raiders: South Korean powerhouse Nexon proved its global competitiveness as ARC Raiders took home the award for innovation. The game was praised for its fresh approach to the extraction shooter genre.
- Best on Steam Deck – Hades 2: With an overwhelming 95-96% positive rating on Steam, Hades 2 was the clear favorite for portable gamers. Its perfect optimization for the Steam Deck has made it a staple for handheld play.
- Labor of Love – Baldur’s Gate 3: Two years after its launch, Larian Studios continues to win hearts through consistent updates and the release of a native Steam Deck version, showing unparalleled dedication to their community.
- Narrative & VR: Dispatch captivated players with its deep storytelling, while The Midnight Walk pushed the boundaries of virtual reality, winning VR Game of the Year for its clay-mation-esque visual style and unique atmosphere.
The Dawn of the “Indie Era”
The 2025 Steam Awards serve as a definitive marker for the gaming industry. The absence of traditional AAA “classics” in the winner’s circle suggests that creativity, gameplay quality, and genuine communication with players have become more influential than multi-million dollar marketing budgets.
Valve will be sending physical trophies to the winning developers’ offices, and a virtual trophy will now be displayed on each game’s Steam store page. Most of the winning titles are currently featured in the Steam Winter Sale, allowing players to experience these award-winning gems at a discounted price.
