Steam has announced the winners of the 2023 Steam Awards and while some titles were definitely deserving of the awards, the vocal gaming community is not convinced by some of the winners.
Gamers react to the 2023 Steam Awards winners
Players were apparently not satisfied with how the 2023 Steam Awards turned out. On X (formerly known as Twitter) and Reddit alike, there were many unhappy reactions to some of the winners.
One of the most pressing community awards is Starfield for winning the Most Innovative Gameplay Award.
Starfield Pick was a troll from the community, right? right..? 💀
— HTP Treva (@treva_man) January 2, 2024
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Starfield beat out other finalists made up of Contraband Police, Raymant II, Shadows of Doubt and Your Only Move Is Hustle.
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I’m sure it was done as a joke, that’s how RDR2 got “Labor of Love” after not receiving updates for 3 years.
I’m afraid there’s nothing innovative about Starfield’s gameplay.
— kron123456789 (@kroshkaruiya1) January 2, 2024
Opera GX (yes, the official account) also joined in to take some potshots at Starfield.
Starfield gameplay pic.twitter.com/UwiXHQtTwP
— Opera GX (@operagxofficial) January 3, 2024
Another winner that didn’t sit well with the community was Red Dead Redemption 2’s win for the Labor of Love award, beating out Apex Legends, Deep Rock Galactic, Dota 2, and Rust.
What a sick joke
byu/juanguim48 insteam
Reddit user u/BanditoSlim dug up the update history and let everyone know that Red Dead Redemption 2’s most recent content update was released 2 years ago on July 13, 2021. The most recent patch was shipped over a year ago, on September 6. 2022, which has minor gameplay additions. “This award is obviously trolling, but it’s an insult to every game recognition developer really deserves to add this to their resume.”
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2023 Steam Awards Winners
Here is the full list of 2023 Steam Awards winners and nominees.
Game of the Year Award
“Maybe it was its immersive gameplay, or its compelling story… its well-crafted characters, refined design, or addictive multiplayer. Whatever the reason, this year’s Game of the Year award winner is an instant classic.”
- Baldur’s Gate III
- Resident Evil 4 Remake
- EA Sports FC 24
- Deadly company
- The Hogwarts Legacy
VR Game of the Year Award
“The VR Game of the Year isn’t just disguised as regular reality. “This game improves reality by leveraging the medium of VR and pushing the boundaries of the virtual realm.”
- Labyrinth
- F1 23
- I Expect You To Die 3: Cog in the Machine
- Ghosts of Tabor
- Gorilla tag
Labor of Love Award
“This game has been out for a while. The team is well past the debut of their creative child, but being the good parents that they are, this god continues to nurture and support their creation. “The game, to this day, is still getting new content after all these years.”
- Read Dead Redemption II
- Supreme legends
- Deep Rock Galactic
- Dota 2
- rust
The best game on Steam Deck
“The game was so good, you wanted to take it everywhere. So you grabbed your steam deck and did it! Fortunately, everything that makes it endlessly playable on your desk just got better on the go.”
- The Hogwarts Legacy
- The Outlast Trials
- Dredge
- brotato
- Diablo IV
Better with Friends Award
“There are some games that just aren’t the same when you play them by yourself. Maybe you need a friend to watch your back. Maybe you need to have a friend that you can stab in their back. Either way, fun awaits those who gather friends to play this game.”
- Deadly company
- party animals
- sunken land
- Warhammer 40000 Darktide
- Sons of the Forest
Outstanding Visual Style Award
“The visual style does not aspire to real-world graphical fidelity (although a noble goal in itself)… it describes a distinct look and feel that complements the game as a whole.”
- Atomic heart
- Cocoon
- Darkest Dungeon II
- inwards
- High on life
Most Innovative Gameplay Award
“These game designers are on the front lines of creative experimentation, bringing a fresh perspective and breaking the brain. “This game entertains, inspires and entertains with an innovation that has never been played before.”
- Starfield
- Prohibited Police
- Residue II
- A shadow of a doubt
- Your only move is to hustle
Best game you suck on the award
“This is a game that rewards perseverance, and it’s not for the faint of heart. “It’s the toughest sport we’ve ever loved.”
- Sifu
- Street Fighter 6
- EA Sports FC 24
- Overwatch 2
- Lords of the Fallen
Best Soundtrack Award
“This unsung hero deserves to be recognized for his exquisite musical score. It’s the OST with the most!”
- The Last of Us Part I
- Pizza Tower
- Sennar’s songs
- Personality 5 tricks
- HiFi Rush
Outstanding Story-Rich Game Award
“Some days, just one narrative-heavy game will hit the scene, and this one will pack a wallop. It’s as compelling as any soap opera, and as well-tuned as a prestige-TV screenplay. Bravissimo – To make us feel things!
- Baldur’s Gate III
- The lies of P
- Love is everywhere, love is everywhere
- Star Wars Jedi Survivor
- Resident Evil 4
Sit back and relax award
“This game is the antidote to a busy day. It’s easy, it’s relaxing, it lets your worries go. “This game is your moment of Zen.”
- Dave the Diver
- Coral Island
- Cities Skylines II
- Potion Craft
- Train Sim World 4
