The 2024 Steam Awards celebrated the best PC games of the year, with Black Myth: Wukong winning the Game of the Year award and securing multiple wins. The awards highlighted the importance of cultural narratives and challenging gameplay. Elden Ring received the “Labor of Love” award for post-launch support, while God of War Ragnarok won “Best on Steam Deck.”
The results reflect player preferences and trends in the gaming industry, and gamers can take advantage of discounts on award-winning titles during the Steam Winter Sale. Black Myth: Wukong’s success marks a significant achievement in gaming history.
Winners
Here’s a list of all the winners:
- Game of the Year: Black Myth: Wukong
- VR Game of the Year: Metro Awakening VR
- Labor of Love: Elden Ring
- Best Game on Steam Deck: God of War Ragnarok
- Better With Friends: Helldivers 2
- Outstanding Visual Style: Silent Hill 2
- Most Innovative Gameplay: Liar’s Bar
- Best Game You Suck At: Black Myth: Wukong
- Best Soundtrack: Red Dead Redemption
- Outstanding Story-Rich Game: Black Myth: Wukong
- Sit Back and Relax: Farming Simulator 25
2024 Steam Awards: A Look at the Winners
Game of the Year and More for Black Myth: Wukong
Black Myth: Wukong had a huge night at the 2024 Steam Awards. It won Game of the Year. It also won “Best Game You Suck At” and “Outstanding Story-Rich Game.” This is a big win for the action RPG based on Chinese mythology. It shows players really liked the game’s story and challenge.
Other Notable Winners
While Black Myth: Wukong took home several awards, other games also won. Metro Awakening VR won VR Game of the Year. This shows virtual reality games are still popular on Steam. Elden Ring won the “Labor of Love” award. This award goes to games that keep getting updates and support from their makers. God of War Ragnarok won for “Best Game on Steam Deck”. This shows how well the game works on Valve’s handheld PC.
A Complete List of Winners
Here’s a table showing all the winners of the 2024 Steam Awards:
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Game of the Year | Black Myth: Wukong |
| VR Game of the Year | Metro Awakening VR |
| Labor of Love | Elden Ring |
| Best Game on Steam Deck | God of War Ragnarok |
| Better With Friends | Helldivers 2 |
| Outstanding Visual Style | Silent Hill 2 |
| Most Innovative Gameplay | Liar’s Bar |
| Best Game You Suck At | Black Myth: Wukong |
| Best Soundtrack | Red Dead Redemption |
| Outstanding Story-Rich Game | Black Myth: Wukong |
| Sit Back and Relax | Farming Simulator 25 |
What These Awards Mean
The Steam Awards are voted on by Steam users. This makes them a good way to see what players liked best. Black Myth: Wukong’s big win shows players want good stories and challenging gameplay. The other winners show the variety of games people play on Steam, from big action games to relaxing simulators.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect from Future Steam Award Winners
The Steam Awards often highlight trends in gaming. For example, the “Best Game on Steam Deck” category shows how important handheld PC gaming has become. The “Labor of Love” award shows players value games that get long-term support. Looking at past winners can give us some clues about what kinds of games might win in the future. We may see more games that work well on different devices, games with strong stories, and games that keep getting new content.
The rise of indie games is also a trend to watch. In recent years, several indie titles have won or been nominated for Steam Awards. This reflects the increasing quality and popularity of independent game development. With more indie games being released on Steam each year, we can expect to see them continue to be recognized in future award ceremonies. This creates a good opportunity for smaller studios to gain visibility and reach a wider audience.
Another important point to note is the growth of the VR gaming market. Metro Awakening VR’s win for VR Game of the Year shows that virtual reality is becoming more mainstream. As VR technology gets better and more affordable, we are likely to see more VR games win awards in the future. This could also lead to new categories being added to the Steam Awards to specifically recognize advancements and innovations in VR gaming.
Finally, community involvement plays a big role in the Steam Awards. Players vote for their favorite games, which means the winners truly represent what the Steam community enjoys. This focus on player choice makes the Steam Awards a unique and important event in the gaming world. It also means that developers who listen to their community and provide ongoing support are more likely to be recognized.
Our Thoughts on the 2024 Steam Awards
The 2024 Steam Awards were a fascinating look at what the PC gaming community enjoyed this year. While some wins were met with cheers, others sparked lively discussions. Here are some key takeaways and lingering questions:
- Black Myth: Wukong’s Domination: The game’s triple win, including Game of the Year, is a clear sign that gamers are hungry for fresh experiences. The focus on Chinese mythology and challenging gameplay resonated strongly.
- Red Dead Redemption’s Enduring Soundtrack: A 15-year-old game winning “Best Soundtrack” is a testament to the enduring power of sound design in creating a memorable atmosphere. It highlights how good audio design can transcend age.
- Labor of Love for Elden Ring: Elden Ring’s win is a well-deserved recognition for FromSoftware’s commitment to post-launch content and ongoing support for their player base. It shows that gamers value developers who continue to improve their games.
- Questionable Choices: Some awards raised eyebrows. Black Myth: Wukong winning “Best Game You Suck At” alongside its Story Rich win created some confusion. Similarly, Liar’s Bar’s win for “Most Innovative Gameplay” surprised some who felt other nominees were more deserving. These categories might benefit from clearer definitions in future years.
- The Rise of Indie Games: While Black Myth: Wukong stole the show, the presence of several indie nominees points towards a growing trend. The Steam Awards are providing a platform for smaller studios to gain recognition.
- The Future of the Awards: The “Best Game on Steam Deck” award highlights the increasing popularity of handheld PC gaming. We might see more categories emerge in the future that recognize advancements in specific gaming niches.
Overall, the 2024 Steam Awards provided a unique glimpse into the preferences of the PC gaming community. The celebration of established titles alongside fresh faces is a positive indicator of the platform’s diversity and dynamism. As the industry evolves, future awards ceremonies will likely reflect the rise of indie studios, the growing importance of handheld gaming, and the ongoing demand for innovative gameplay experiences.
Short Summary:
- Black Myth: Wukong wins Game of the Year at the 2024 Steam Awards.
- The game also earned accolades for Best Game You Suck At and Outstanding Story-Rich Game.
- The awards highlighted a mixture of expected and surprising outcomes from community votes.
Celebrating the Steam Awards 2024
As 2024 winds down, gamers have been keenly awaiting the results of the Steam Awards, a beloved tradition in the gaming community where players get to cast their votes for their favorite games. This year marked a turning point for several titles, but none shone quite as brightly as Black Myth: Wukong, a game that has captivated audiences and critics alike since its announcement. Securing victory in the coveted Game of the Year category, it stood out among other notable contenders such as Stalker 2, Helldivers 2, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marines 2.
Black Myth: Wukong not only clinched the Game of the Year award but also took home two additional accolades: Best Game You Suck At and Outstanding Story-Rich Game. With this impressive haul, the game solidified its position as a formidable player in the realm of modern gaming.
A Game Built on Anticipation
Originally announced in 2020, Black Myth: Wukong generated considerable buzz within the gaming community while developing. Its culturally rich narrative and stunning graphics were marketed effectively, leading to high expectations upon release. Despite facing a whirlwind of controversy, including backlash against its developer, GameScience, the game launched successfully, achieving over one million players on its first day. This impressive milestone significantly contributed to its recognition as a Game of the Year during the Steam Awards.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support from our community. This award is a testament to the passion and dedication of our players,” the official Twitter account for Black Myth stated following the announcement.
The Finalists and Voting Process
The Steam Awards are unique in that winners are determined by the community itself, which fosters a sense of ownership among gamers. The voting period ran from December 19 to December 31, allowing players to participate in selecting their favorite titles from an expansive list of nominated games across various categories.
In addition to Black Myth: Wukong, the Steam Awards celebrated a variety of games in different categories:
- VR Game of the Year: Metro Awakening
- Labor of Love: Elden Ring
- Best Game on Steam Deck: God of War Ragnarok
- Better With Friends: Helldivers 2
- Outstanding Visual Style: Silent Hill 2
- Most Innovative Gameplay: Liar’s Bar
- Best Soundtrack: Red Dead Redemption
- Sit Back and Relax: Farming Simulator 25
The community’s decisions sparked discussions and debates, particularly surrounding some unexpected wins. For instance, Black Myth: Wukong‘s victory in the Outstanding Story-Rich Game category caused a stir among gamers who believed titles like Final Fantasy 16 and Ghost of Tsushima presented stronger narratives. GameScience has yet to comment extensively on this debate.
“There are always going to be debates about which game deserves which title. It’s all part of the gaming culture,” commented one player in response to the awards.
The Community’s Voice: A Mixed Reaction
The results of the Steam Awards have sparked mixed reactions from players across social media platforms. While many celebrated Black Myth: Wukong‘s achievements, others expressed concerns over its narrative depth. Users took to platforms like Twitter to voice their opinions, questioning the voting outcomes.
One Twitter user stated, “I don’t think anyone talks about Wukong’s story when we all rave about the gameplay. This award feels off!”
Another user highlighted the peculiar scenario where popular titles consistently receive nominations yet fail to secure wins.
“It seems the community prefers to vote for experiences that resonate emotionally rather than just technical prowess,” shared another user.
Reflections on the Winners
Despite the criticisms, it’s essential to recognize the impact and engagement that Black Myth: Wukong has had within the gaming community. This recognition at the Steam Awards reinforces its popularity among gamers and illustrates how impactful player votes can be when it comes to awards. The game’s accolades at previous ceremonies also laid the groundwork for this recognition.
In contrast, the winner of the Best Soundtrack award, Red Dead Redemption, was met with its own share of critique. Competing against highly lauded soundtracks from titles like Horizon Forbidden West and Silent Hill 2, it nonetheless stood out in the community voting, further demonstrating the varied tastes and preferences of gamers.
Additionally, other surprises in the winners’ list were noteworthy, including Silent Hill 2 taking home the award for Outstanding Visual Style, which was a point of contention for some users.
The Call for Change
As discussions around the Steam Awards 2024 unfold, one theme is evident: the need for a more moderated approach to future awards. Many players advocate for clearer criteria on how games should be judged to preserve the credibility of the awards. This ensures that while community engagement is valued, meritocracy is not lost in the process.
“I think having some industry voices involved could help guide the awards to make them more reflective of quality rather than popularity,” one gamer suggested.
