First Steam Awards Winners Announced

The community voted and now we know the winners of the first Steam Awards.

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It’s the end of the year, and it seems like every publication (including us) is putting out their picks for the best games of 2016. Steam did things a little differently, though. Since this is the first official Steam Awards, Valve decided that their categories should contain games the community wanted no matter when they were released.

The votes have been tallied, and the winners of the first Steam Awards have been announced. The categories these titles were competing in are not traditional of typical end-of-the-year game awards, so it’s interesting to see just which games the Steam community voted on.

The winners are:

“Villain Most in Need of a Hug”

Portal 2

This is self-explanatory.

“I Thought This Game Was Cool Before It Won an Award”

Euro Truck Simulator 2

Gamers have taken to the chilled out gameplay of Euro Truck Simulator 2. There’s something incredibly relaxing in driving your big rig across Europe with your only care being following the traffic laws.

“Test of Time”

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Skyrim has remained an incredibly enthralling experience even five years after its original release. With a ton of mods to add new facets to the base experience, or even entirely new adventures, Skyrim has enough available to last players for years.

“Just 5 More Minutes”

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’s easy to pick up and hard to master gameplay makes it incredibly addictive. It’s not hard to find yourself intending to play one match and ending up quitting hours later.

“Whoooaaaaaaa, dude!”

Grand Theft Auto V

The story, environment, gameplay, and sound all combined to make Grand Theft Auto V a jaw-dropping experience. Following Michael, Trevor, and Franklin in their misadventures through San Andreas was a defining gaming experience for a lot of players.

“Game Within a Game”

Grand Theft Auto V

The plethora of side activities and mini-games in Grand Theft Auto V gave it incredible replay value. Seeking out and playing these side activities made it a no-brainer for the award for best games within a game.

“I’m Not Crying, There’s Something in my Eye”

The Walking Dead

While Telltale has certainly captured some heart-wrenching moments in the adventure games, perhaps the best of these moments have come from the game that put them on the map. The Walking Dead: Season One is filled with moments that constantly remind you that no one is safe in the world of the undead and that trusted friends can be taken from you at any time.

“Best Use of a Farm Animal”

Goat Simulator

Featuring gameplay so buggy it would be infuriating in any other title, Goat Simulator puts you in the role of a… goat. The ridiculous physics, licking mechanics, and general goat gameplay combine to show Goat Simulator’s innovative use of an under appreciated animal demographic.

“Boom Boom”

DOOM (2016)

When it comes to explosions, gore, and gunfire, you’d be hard-pressed to find a title that could outdo our 2016 GOTY, DOOM. The glorious battle to stop the demon hordes is a harmony of destruction, and our old friend Doomguy is in top form here.

“Love/Hate Relationship”

Dark Souls III

For those that enjoy their games to result in blood, sweat, and tears, Dark Souls III is about as good as it gets. The gameplay here is unforgiving but fair and fluid, and those that master it go from hating it to loving it.

“Sit Back and Relax”

Euro Truck Simulator 2

Euro Truck Simulator 2 is the opposite of Dark Souls III. This is a game that rewards low but steady activity. If you want to play a game that captures the feeling of a lazy Sunday drive, but with mission objectives, Euro Truck Simulator 2 is for you.

“Better With Friends”

Left 4 Dead 2

This is another title that’s still going strong many years after release. The AI in Left 4 Dead 2 is adequate, but the game shines when you’re stomping zombies with your friends. The single-player experience can’t hold a candle in comparison.


Do you agree with the Steam community’s picks, or did you vote for another game? Let us know if you agree or disagree with the results of the first-ever Steam Awards.

Contributing Editor
From The Chatty
  • reply
    December 31, 2016 1:06 PM

    Jason Faulkner posted a new article, First Steam Awards Winners Announced

    • reply
      December 31, 2016 1:12 PM

      [deleted]

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        December 31, 2016 2:17 PM

        are you literally retarded? this is the steam ward winners and overwatch isn't on steam

        I joke about the question because I already know the answer

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          December 31, 2016 7:08 PM

          You can add Overwatch to Steam as a shortcut. Your argument is invalid.

          And yes he's probably kidding and so am I.

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        December 31, 2016 6:21 PM

        tf2 itself should have won the test of time award :*(

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      December 31, 2016 4:41 PM

      Popularity contest. How did gta make anyone go whoa? It's the same shit in a different wrapper.

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      December 31, 2016 4:44 PM

      [deleted]

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        December 31, 2016 5:34 PM

        I suspect these align with recent sales, even though they're supposed to be write-ins.

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        December 31, 2016 6:56 PM


        After 2016, We should've known better than to let the masses vote.

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        December 31, 2016 8:23 PM

        I don't think there's anyone taking them too seriously. I was happy to get a few cents off of the extra trading cards for my votes.

        I only use money earned off cards or votes to buy trading cards, so it's pure capital for my steam level. Steam level 51 without spending a cent.

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        December 31, 2016 9:33 PM

        [deleted]

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      December 31, 2016 6:15 PM

      5 more minutes shoulda been rocket league

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        December 31, 2016 6:32 PM

        The civilization and csgo reddits agree that civ should have been the winner...

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      December 31, 2016 6:20 PM

      [deleted]

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      December 31, 2016 7:27 PM

      [deleted]

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