Valve is beginning to announce the nominees of the Steam Awards, with the first category being announced today.
The first category is for "Outstanding Visual Style", and is described as follows:
These devs are the Willy Wonka of eye candy. Visual style doesn't aspire to real-world graphical fidelity (though a noble goal in itself)… it describes a distinctive look and feel that suffuses an entire game. This game displays visual cohesion and expression that not only fit the game's world, but make our world look paltry by comparison.
Five games have been nominated for this category, all of which had to be released at or very close to 2019. So who's nominated for this award? The following five games:
- GRIS
- Total War: Three Kingdoms
- Astroneer
- Katana Zero
- Subnatucia: Below Zero
It's probably not too much of a surprise that, of the five games, four of them are indie titles. Indie games tend to not have giant marketing budgets and need something else to catch the attention of users. Games like GRIS and Katana Zero are absolutely oozing with style, and both of them are by small development teams that need the style to catch your eye and keep the game in your mind. Total War: Three Kingdoms is the only game with a major publisher backing it, but that doesn't mean it looks bad. It has a lovely depiction of China and of the massive armies of the time period. No matter the winner, you'll get to see a visually stunning game.
The rest of the nominees will be released over the week, and you can start voting on the winners on December 19th.
How do you feel about these nominees? Agree with them at all? Going to hope someone else gets nominated in other categories? Let us know in the comments below!
