Grand Theft Auto V is suddenly part of the 2025 awards scene again, even though it first launched in 2013. The only reason this is even possible is because of a small rule detail in the Steam Awards.
When Rockstar pushed out the updated GTA 5 version on Steam in March 2025, the platform tagged it as a new launch, putting it beside this year’s actual 2025 releases.
That one change put the game back in the running for GOTY, something no one expected this far removed from its first release.
How Do the Steam Awards Work?
The comeback owes a lot to the Steam Awards format, which puts all nominations and voting entirely in the hands of players instead of critics.
Players have until December 1, 2025, to submit nominations across eleven categories, including the Game of the Year slot that GTA 5 is now allowed to enter.
This system means that popularity and community momentum are everything. If a huge portion of Steam’s player base decides to rally behind GTA 5 Enhanced during both voting phases, there is nothing stopping it from climbing all the way to the top.
The game’s Steam page even shows the new 2025 launch date, so searching “Grand Theft Auto” on the nomination form brings up the newly listed version without issue.
It may not automatically appear in the recommended categories, but it is absolutely eligible.
Why Are Players Divided Over GTA 5’s GOTY Eligibility?
This unexpected eligibility has sparked a lot of discussion about what counts as a “new” game in 2025.
Supporters argue that the Enhanced Edition represents a modern platform update and that the Steam Awards have always existed to reflect what players genuinely enjoy right now, regardless of the original release date.
Those who’ve followed GTA since the early days view this update as more than a re-release.
With expanded mod support and cleaner tech under the hood, they argue it should be evaluated on its current performance instead of its old release date.
Can GTA 5 Actually Win GOTY 2025?
Valve leaves the system open so the results show what the player base cares about today rather than any formal judging standard.
If enough people decide that GTA 5 deserves a nomination (or even the trophy itself) Steam will honor the vote without hesitation. And with GTA’s massive, long-lasting player base, the possibility of a surprise surge is very real.
Even if it falls short of winning, the mere idea of GTA 5 earning a GOTY nomination again in 2025 is already a statement about how modern PC gaming works.
Live updates, revamped versions, and ongoing support keep older games feeling fresh, and the award criteria are finally catching up to that reality.
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