Crytek is officially asking the community to mobilize for the 2025 Steam Awards, specifically eyeing the "Labor of Love" category for Hunt: Showdown 1896. The developers released a statement thanking players for their support throughout a transformative year, emphasizing their ongoing commitment to "building, fixing, and refining" the extraction shooter.
The Case for the Bayou
The "Labor of Love" category is reserved for games that have been out for a while—Hunt originally launched in 2019—but continue to receive substantial updates. This year has been particularly significant for the title, marking the transition to the "1896" era. This wasn't just a content drop; it was a fundamental shift in the game's identity, bringing engine upgrades and map overhauls that changed how the Bayou feels and plays.
Crytek's specific wording—"building, fixing, refining"—acknowledges the reality of live-service development. Veteran Hunters know the meta shifts and technical hiccups that come with major updates. By highlighting the "fixing" aspect, the studio seems to be leaning into the collaborative (if sometimes volatile) relationship they have with the player base. It isn't just about adding new guns; it's about keeping the servers spinning and the hit registration honest.
Does Hunt deserve the vote?
Competition in this category is usually fierce, often populated by titans like Terraria, No Man's Sky, or Deep Rock Galactic. However, Hunt occupies a unique niche. Few games manage to maintain this level of tension and atmosphere six years post-launch. If you feel the recent engine updates and event cadence demonstrate a long-term commitment to the game's health, you can cast your nomination directly through the Steam store page during the nomination phase.