The player-voted Steam Awards for 2023 have concluded, and the results have left many scratching their heads. In a surprising turn of events, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Starfield snagged wins in categories that left some questioning the fittingness of their victories.

Red Dead Redemption 2 walked away with the Labor Of Love award, an accolade typically reserved for games that receive continuous support from their developers long after release. However, it's worth noting that the game, released on PC in 2019, has not received a substantial update since 2020. This leaves one to wonder if the award was playfully sarcastic in nature.

On the other hand, Starfield took home the "Most Innovative Gameplay" award, an honor bestowed upon games that push the boundaries of creativity and offer fresh perspectives. It seems peculiar, though, as Starfield, known for its loading screens, doesn't seem like the most logical choice to meet the award's criteria.

The Steam Awards, like any voting-based system, have their drawbacks. Often, they tend to favor popular games that have been widely played rather than recognizing true masterpieces with limited reach. This phenomenon inevitably tilts the awards towards blockbuster titles, potentially overshadowing genuine video game quality and rewarding successful marketing campaigns.

While efforts were made to mitigate this issue through specific category criteria, the results of the Steam Awards 2023 suggest that the attempts might have fallen short. Voters seemingly squeezed their favorite big games into categories that may not have been the best fit, causing some eyebrow-raising outcomes.

Nevertheless, the full list of winners does include some more reasonable choices. Lethal Company secured the "Better With Friends" award, reflecting the genuine co-op joy it brings. Baldur's Gate 3 emerged victorious in both the Game Of The Year and Outstanding Story-Rich Game categories, solidifying its universal acclaim.

Here is the complete list of Steam Awards 2023 winners:

- Game Of The Year Award: Baldur's Gate 3
- VR Game Of The Year Award: Labyrinthine
- Labor Of Love Award: Red Dead Redemption 2
- Best Game On Steam Deck Award: Hogwarts Legacy
- Better With Friends Award: Lethal Company
- Outstanding Visual Style Award: Atomic Heart
- Most Innovative Gameplay Award: Starfield
- Best Game You Suck At Award: Sifu
- Best Soundtrack Award: The Last Of Us: Part 1
- Outstanding Story-Rich Game Award: Baldur's Gate 3
- Sit Back And Relax Award: Dave The Diver

While it is unfortunate that the Steam Awards may not always highlight the most deserving winners across all categories, the democratic nature of the awards means that players themselves bear some responsibility for the outcomes. Despite the controversy surrounding certain choices, the Steam Awards 2023 have certainly sparked discussions within the gaming community.

Overall, it remains to be seen whether the Steam Awards will be viewed as a true reflection of excellence in the gaming industry or a lighthearted celebration of fan favorites.