GTA 5 is in contention for the 2025 Steam Awards Game of the Year title thanks to its rules

The remastered version of Grand Theft Auto V, released on Steam in March of this year as the Enhanced Edition, unexpectedly earned a chance to compete for the main trophy of the Steam Awards 2025. Although the original game was released on previous-generation consoles over ten years ago, the remastered release is formally considered a new product, automatically qualifying for the Game of the Year nomination.

The nomination period has already begun and will run until December 1, 2025. Users can submit any projects in eleven categories, including the main category, and the winners will be announced on January 3, 2026. The Steam Awards format relies entirely on player votes. If the remastered GTA 5 receives sufficient support first in the nominations stage and then in the final vote, it could win the GOTY title.

The Enhanced Edition features improved graphics and increased performance on modern systems, which meets the eligibility criteria and makes the game a full-fledged candidate under the award's rules.