Hollow Knight: Silksong has been crowned Steam’s Game of the Year at the 2025 Steam Awards. The sequel to the critically acclaimed Hollow Knight captivated players worldwide with its challenging gameplay and immersive world. Silksong’s win was widely expected due to the significant hype surrounding its release in September.
Securing the Top Spot
Reports indicate that Hollow Knight: Silksong won the Game of the Year award with ease, beating out other strong contenders like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The game’s win wasn’t limited to just one award; it also took home the “Best Game You Suck At” award, a nod to its challenging gameplay. This achievement solidifies Silksong’s position as one of the top games of the year, with many critics and players praising its engaging gameplay and richly detailed world.
The 2025 Steam Awards voting process took place from November 2025, with Steam users choosing their favorite games across multiple categories. Silksong was the only game to win two awards at the Steam Awards, reflecting its broad appeal and critical acclaim. The game’s success has also been reflected in its ranking among other top games, with Silksong dethroning Baldur’s Gate III as the third game with the most GOTY awards, behind only Elden Ring and The Last of Us Part II.
Changes in the Voting Process
The 2025 Steam Awards introduced notable changes in the way games are nominated and voted for. Games can now be nominated in multiple categories, and users no longer need to own a game on Steam to vote for it. This shift likely contributed to the success of games like Silksong, which reached a wider audience and garnered more votes as a result.
While Silksong took home the top prize, other games also received recognition at the 2025 Steam Awards. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game expected to win Game of the Year, ultimately lost to Silksong but won the award for best soundtrack. This consolation prize is a testament to the game’s quality and the recognition it received from the gaming community.
The Power of Steam’s Gaming Community
The success of Hollow Knight: Silksong at the 2025 Steam Awards highlights the significant influence of Steam’s gaming community. With millions of users voting for their favorite games, the Steam Awards have become a major benchmark for measuring a game’s success and popularity. The game’s win is a prime example of a game that resonated with players worldwide.
Impact on the Gaming Industry
The success of Hollow Knight: Silksong at the 2025 Steam Awards has significant implications for the gaming industry. The game’s win showcases the power of challenging gameplay and immersive storytelling, which resonated with players worldwide. The game’s popularity has also led to an increase in player engagement, with many players spending hundreds of hours exploring the game’s vast world.
The game’s success has sparked a renewed interest in Metroidvania games, a genre that has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years. Silksong‘s win is likely to inspire other developers to create games that challenge players and offer richly detailed worlds to explore. Team Cherry, the developers of Hollow Knight, have announced plans to continue supporting the game with future updates and DLCs, which is likely to further boost its popularity.
A New Era for Steam Awards
The 2025 Steam Awards have marked a new era for the awards, with changes to the voting process that have made it more inclusive and accessible to a wider range of players. The new voting process allows games to be nominated in multiple categories, and users no longer need to own a game on Steam to vote for it.
| Steam Awards Voting Process Changes | Previous Process | New Process |
|---|---|---|
| Nominations | Limited to one category per game | Multiple categories per game |
| Eligibility | Only Steam owners could vote | All Steam users can vote, regardless of ownership |
These changes are likely to have a positive impact on the awards, making them more representative of the gaming community’s opinions.
The Future of Gaming
The success of Hollow Knight: Silksong at the 2025 Steam Awards has raised questions about the future of gaming. With the rise of indie games and the increasing popularity of PC gaming, the gaming landscape is evolving rapidly. The global gaming market is expected to continue growing, with PC gaming expected to remain a major player.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it’s likely that we’ll see more games like Hollow Knight: Silksong that challenge players and offer immersive storytelling. With its engaging gameplay and richly detailed world, Silksong has set a new standard for games.
