The nomination phase for the 2025 Steam Awards has officially begun, and Ball x Pit has a specific target in its sights. Developer Kenny Sun is encouraging the community to nominate the roguelite shooter for the "Best Game on Steam Deck" category.
The Perfect Portable Loop?
It is not surprising to see Ball x Pit aiming for the handheld crown. Roguelites and portable hardware have always had a symbiotic relationship. The game's core loop—blending brick-breaking mechanics with base defense—lends itself well to the pick-up-and-play nature of the Steam Deck. When you are dealing with run-based progression, being able to suspend the device mid-wave and resume later is a massive quality-of-life feature.
While the game is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch, the Steam Deck category is unique because it highlights optimization and UI scaling just as much as gameplay. For an isometric shooter where screen readability is key, securing a nomination here would validate the technical effort put into the PC port's handheld mode.
Does the community have to vote for the Deck category?
Technically, no. The Steam Awards are entirely user-driven, meaning you can nominate Ball x Pit for any category you feel fits best, such as "Best Soundtrack" or even "Game of the Year." However, indie developers often rally their communities around a single category to consolidate votes and maximize their chances of making the final shortlist. Splitting the vote across five different categories usually results in missing the cut entirely.
If you have been enjoying the fusion of arcade shooting and survival building, you can head over to the Steam store page now to cast your nomination. The voting period typically runs alongside the Autumn Sale, so you have a limited window to make your voice heard.