Hollow Knight: Silksong Crowned Game of the Year at Steam Awards

Hollow Knight: Silksong, a highly anticipated creation from Team Cherry, has finally achieved a significant victory, clinching the Game of the Year title at the prestigious Steam Awards. This win comes after a period where another notable title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, often overshadowed it in various industry recognitions, including The Game Awards. Silksong's triumph at the Steam Awards underscores its immense popularity and strong backing within the Steam community, particularly given that these awards are determined by fan votes.

Unlike many other major gaming awards, the Steam Awards are unique because they are entirely fan-driven. Any registered Steam account holder can cast a ballot, allowing the gaming community to directly influence the outcomes. This democratic process saw Silksong emerge victorious, a testament to its dedicated player base. Its rival, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by Sandfall Interactive, had previously demonstrated significant public support by winning the Ultimate Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards, also a fan-voted event, proving that fan preference can diverge across different platforms and award bodies.

The deep connection between Silksong and the Steam platform likely played a crucial role in its win. The game boasts an impressive all-time peak player count of 587,150 on Steam, a figure four times greater than Clair Obscur's peak. This significant disparity in player engagement on Valve's platform suggests that Silksong's widespread appeal and active community directly translated into its success in the year-end ballot. Other top contenders for the Game of the Year award included Dispatch, Arc Raiders, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, all of which have also enjoyed considerable success within the Steam ecosystem.

Beyond the top honor, Silksong also received the 'Best Game You Suck At' Award, a humorous yet accurate recognition of its infamous challenge level. Meanwhile, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was celebrated for its exceptional audio production, winning the Best Soundtrack Award. Enthusiasts of classic racing games were particularly pleased to see titles like Tokyo Xtreme Racer recognized as a finalist in the soundtrack category, highlighting the diverse tastes of Steam voters.

Other notable winners across various categories included The Midnight Walk, which secured the VR Game of the Year. Baldur's Gate 3 earned the Labor of Love Award for its ongoing commitment to updates and player engagement. Hades 2 was recognized as the Best Game on Steam Deck, indicating its excellent performance and optimization for Valve's handheld device. Lastly, Peak received the Better With Friends Award, effectively making it the top multiplayer title of the year. The full roster of winners and finalists across all categories offers an intriguing glimpse into the eclectic preferences of the Steam voting community, often leading to surprising and well-deserved recommendations.

The Steam Awards have once again showcased the power of community-driven recognition in the gaming world, with Hollow Knight: Silksong leading the charge. This victory not only celebrates the game's quality and fan adoration but also distinguishes it from other major awards where different titles often receive accolades. The diverse range of winners across various categories underscores the broad and varied interests of the global PC gaming audience.