As 2024 comes to a close, so does this year’s gaming awards season. The Steam Awards wrapped up the accolades during its annual winter sale. Not only did some of the amazing new games this year receive awards, but games that players have stayed dedicated to did as well. That’s what the Labor of Love Award is all about this year. It doesn’t matter if the game is a hot new AAA hit or a cozy farming game released in 2016. It’s once again time to recognize the hard work and talent that goes into creating and maintaining these incredible experiences. Here is the full list of winners and finalists for The Steam Awards 2024.
All the Winners & Finalists
Game of the Year
- Black Myth: Wukong (WINNER)
- Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
- Balatro
- Helldivers II
VR Game of the Year
- Metro Awakening VR (WINNER)
- Blade & Sorcery
- Maestro
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2
- DAVIGO
Labor of Love
- Dota 2
- Stardew Valley
- No Man’s Sky
- Elden Ring (WINNER)
- Baldur’s Gate III
Best Game on Steam Deck
- God of War Ragnarök (WINNER)
- Hades II
- Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
- Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
- Balatro
Better With Friends
- Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
- Satisfactory
- Palworld
- Helldivers II (WINNER)
- Sons of the Forest
Outstanding Visual Style
- Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Hades II
- Neva
- Nine Sols
- Silent Hill 2 (WINNER)
Most Innovative Gameplay
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
- Satisfactory
- Balatro
- Helldivers II
- Liar’s Bar (WINNER)
Best Game You Suck At
- Black Myth: Wukong (WINNER)
- Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
- Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
- Tekken 8
- The Finals
Best Soundtrack
- Frostpunk 2
- Red Dead Redemption (WINNER)
- Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition
- Fate/stay night Remastered
- Silent Hill 2
Outstanding Story-Rich
- Black Myth: Wukong (WINNER)
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
- Final Fantasy XVI
- Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
- Mouthwashing
Sit Back and Relax
- TCG Card Shop Simulator
- Webfishing
- House Flipper 2
- Farming Simulator 25 (WINNER)
- Tiny Glade
Looking Back at 2024
In summary, Black Myth: Wukong took home three awards during The Steam Awards, including the biggest one of the vote. Congratulations to Game Science for even more victories to end the year with. With how many wins Black Myth has scored this year, it’s obvious that it was one of the best games released in 2024. It’s just one of many titles that prove just how innovative and immersive gaming can truly be.
Looking further back, games like Dota 2 and Stardew Valley have done well while keeping their numbers high. In fact, Dota 2 was one of this year’s most-played Steam games, coming in at number two on the list. It was topped by the ever-popular Counter-Strike 2. Even though Elden Ring ended up coming out on top and winning the Labor of Love award, it’s still nice to see the other games going strong.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Next year is bound to be another big year for gaming, potentially much bigger than 2024. Many exciting titles are being released in the first quarter alone. Avowed, Fable, Monster Hunter Wilds, and more are being released in February alone. Grand Theft Auto VI is still slated for a release in the fall as long as things go well for Rockstar Games. Of course, we can’t forget about the countless indie games that are on the way as well. In a sea of AAA excitement, it’s important to recognize and be excited about these titles from smaller studios.
All in all, it’s time to prepare for what the next 12 months are set to bring to the table. No matter if you’re looking for the next fantasy-filled adventure or just some classic monster-slaying fun, 2025 is going to be filled to the brim with exciting experiences just waiting to be had by players around the world. One burning question does remain, though. What game are you the most pumped for?
