In conjunction to the Steam Autumn Sale, Valve just introduced the Steam Awards, premiering this December. Looks like December will be the month of game awards, huh? But Valve’s take on it is a bit semi-serious: all the categories are fan-voted, and the categories are.. non-conventional, to say the least. Just take a look at the list, all copy-pasted directly from the page:
The “Test of Time” Award
This award is for the game that is just as good today as the day you first played it. Newer games may come out, but it doesn’t matter… you’ll always come back to play this one.
The “I’m Not Crying, There’s Something In My Eye” Award
Games are fun. But sometimes games become more than that, and touch you in a way you weren’t expecting. This award celebrates the game that blindsided you emotionally. You weren’t expecting to cry. It wasn’t in the plan. But it happened none the less.
The “Just 5 More Minutes” Award
You have an early day tomorrow. You need to get some sleep, so you’re just going finish one more thing before you decide to tuck in for the night. Just one more. Wait, one more. What’s that you say? It’s 2:30 AM? This award is for the game that keeps you playing late.
The “Whoooaaaaaaa, dude!” Award
Some games melt your face. Maybe it was a crazy plot twist. Maybe you just got your wisdom teeth removed. Either way, this game BLOWS YOUR MIND.
The “Villain Most In Need Of A Hug” Award
Some people just need a hug.
The “Game Within A Game” Award
Kinder Eggs. Peanut Butter Cups. Jelly Donuts. All great things stuffed with other great things. Like a mighty turducken, this award celebrates the best mini game hidden within another game.
The “I Thought This Game Was Cool Before It Won An Award” Award
This title didn’t have a huge marketing machine behind it, but you found it and loved it. Then you told your friends about it. And they loved it. And now that little game that could is about to win an award… but always remember: you totally found it first.
The “Best Use Of A Farm Animal” Award
Animals are rad and almost any game is better for including them. However this game used a farm animal in the best way possible.
The “We Didn’t Think Of Everything” Award
(*name pending Selection Committee Decision) There are as many great ideas for awards as there are great games to play. And so we turn to the Steam Awards Selection Committee to come up with their own category and nominee. Senior members of the Selection Committee will review the write-in entries and create an entirely new category based on the feedback provided.
See? Some of them are silly while some of them are pretty interesting, hence why we say semi-serious.
How to vote? Just go to any game’s Steam store page and you’ll see a button to nominate the game for an award. You can change it afterwards should you decide a better game should deserve it. For your efforts, you will get.. a Steam badge. Yup, no special discount or something like that, the whole store is having a sale right now.
Our smart money is on Valve wanting to encourage people checking out the game’s store page more often, and maybe make some sales from there. Be strong, wallet.
The result of the voting will be announced this December.