Virtual reality gaming has grown past being a novelty add-on in digital stores. Steam’s VR Fest this September is proof of that shift, and this year it arrives with something new: the VR Forever Awards, a community-driven showcase designed to highlight the most interesting and talked-about titles in the medium.
For years, VR events have either leaned heavily on hardware launches or served as demo reels for whatever headset manufacturers wanted to push. This time the spotlight is different. The focus is on games themselves, and how varied the landscape has become in just a few short years.
A New Award Show Within Steam Fest
The VR Forever Awards are being folded directly into Steam VR Fest 2025. Categories range from straightforward picks like “Best Action” to more specific nods such as “Cozy VR” or “Multiplayer Moments.” The structure mirrors traditional award shows, but the emphasis here is on visibility for smaller studios that often get buried under flagship releases. Voting is community-based, with players on Steam helping decide the winners. That approach taps into the platform’s large and active VR audience, while also reflecting how fragmented the scene can be. A rhythm game, a survival sim, and a slice-of-life narrative can now all compete for attention under the same umbrella.
Why It Matters for Developers and Players
Events like this point to the maturing identity of VR gaming. When the medium first gained traction, most releases were short demos or experimental mechanics. Now, award categories exist for genres that barely had a foothold five years ago.
That shift says a lot about how developers have learned to build full experiences around headsets instead of treating them as proof-of-concept devices.
It also marks a move toward normalizing VR as part of Steam’s broader ecosystem. By tying the awards to an event many PC players already know, VR games avoid being siloed into niche corners. For studios, that means recognition in front of audiences who might otherwise miss them entirely.
The Broader Trend of VR Showcases
The idea of celebrating VR games outside of hardware conferences isn’t unique, but it’s becoming more common. Other platforms and publishers have tested smaller spotlight events, often digital-only, to capture attention. What sets the VR Forever Awards apart is its integration into Steam’s ecosystem, giving it immediate visibility and legitimacy.
Looking ahead, the key question is whether this model will stick. A successful debut could encourage Valve and other platforms to turn these awards into a recurring benchmark, something the VR space has been missing. Even if it ends up being a one-off experiment, it’s a sign that VR has reached a stage where awards and dedicated showcases no longer feel premature.
Virtual Reality Explorer & Game Reviewer
Always the first to plug in. VRSCOUT dives head-first into the most immersive VR worlds, analyzing mechanics, comfort, innovation, and that elusive “presence” factor. If he says it’s worth it, it probably is.
