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| (Image Source: PlayStation.Blog Japan/Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan) |
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) recently hosted the 2024 PlayStation Partner Awards in Japan Asia, honoring all the incredible games released on PlayStation systems and talented developers behind them within the Japan/Asia region. The said event coincided with the celebration of PlayStation's 30th year anniversary last December 3, 2024. In addition to the success of the 2024 PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 titles released from October 2023 to September 2024, this year’s awards also recognized exceptional games created by Japanese and other Asian developers released on legacy PlayStation platforms over the past 30 years – the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation 4.
Here is a rundown of the games receiving the following awards at the 2024 PlayStation Partner Awards.
• Excellence Award (Awarded to the title developed in the Japan/Asia region that have had a consistent and significant impact along with commercial success over the past three years): Genshin Impact (HoYoverse)
• Grand Award (Awarded to the top three titles developed in the Japan and Asia regions with the highest worldwide sales between October 2023 and September 2024): Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science Interactive Technology), Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree (FromSoftware Inc./Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.), Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix Co. Ltd.)
• Partner Award (Awarded to titles developed in the Japan/Asia region with top-ranked worldwide sales between October 2023 and September 2024 with particularly noteworthy accomplishments): Dragon’s Dogma 2 (Capcom Co. Ltd.), Honkai: Star Rail (HoYoverse), Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Sega), Persona 3 Reload (Atlus Co. Ltd.), Tekken 8 (Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.), The First Descendant (Nexon), Zenless Zone Zero (HoYoverse)
• Special Award (Awarded to PS5 titles developed in collaboration with SIE outside the Japan/Asia region that achieved outstanding success within Japan/Asia between October 2023 and September 2024): Rise Of The Ronin (SIE, developed by Koei Tecmo), Stellar Blade (SIE, developed by Shift Up)
• Users’ Choice Award (Awarded to the top five titles released in the Japan/Asia region between October 2023 and September 2024, selected by user votes in the Japan/Asia region, out of the top 30 titles with the longest total gameplay time): Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science Interactive Technology), Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix Co. Ltd.), Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Sega), Rise Of The Ronin (SIE, developed by Koei Tecmo), Stellar Blade (SIE, developed by Shift Up)
PlayStation Generations Awards (Awarded to titles chosen by users in the Japan and Asia regions from each PlayStation generation – the original PlayStation, PS2, PSP, PS3, PS Vita, and PS4. All games are previous “PlayStation Partner Award” winners.)
• PlayStation Generations (1994 and beyond): Final Fantasy VII (Square Enix Co. Ltd.)
• PlayStation 2 Generations (2000 and beyond): Final Fantasy X (Square Enix Co. Ltd.)
• PlayStation Portable Generations (2004 and beyond): Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (Capcom Co. Ltd.)
• PlayStation 3 Generations (2006 and beyond): Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots (Konami Digital Entertainment Inc.)
• PlayStation Vita Generations (2011 and beyond): Persona 4 Golden (Atlus Co. Ltd.)
• PlayStation 4 Generations (2013 and beyond): Elden Ring (FromSoftware Inc./Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.)
“I would like to express our sincere gratitude to our players and PlayStation! This new award marks a significant milestone in our journey over the past four years, reflecting the precious memories and moments of companionship shared with our players, as well as the long-lasting, stable, and trusting partnership we’ve built with PlayStation. The world of Genshin Impact is filled with endless possibilities, and our adventure is far from over. This year, we’ve arrived at Teyvat’s sixth nation — Natlan. Here, Travelers can join forces with Natlan’s warriors and Saurian companions, soaring through the skies and delving into the earth, exploring the vast world to their hearts’ content. And moving forward, we will continue to create exciting and fresh content to show our appreciation for your continued attention and support,” said Dai Wei, a game designer at HoYoverse. The Elden Ring development team from FromSoftware thanked the gamers who have been spending their time playing the game and promises to strive further to deliver exciting and meaningful content. In a statement, the Elden Ring development team at Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. said, “Thank you so much for this very prestigious award. Although there was a longer wait for the Shadow of the Erdtree compared to our previous DLCs, we’re delighted that so many players picked up the expansion to explore the all-new story in the Realm of Shadow. We’re only able to continue receiving such awards nearly three years after the main game’s release, thanks to our loyal players continuing their journey in the Lands Between and keeping the game and community thriving. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has played the main game and DLC. Thank you very much.”
Game Science Interactive Technology's founder and CEO Feng Ji stayed, “It is an incredible honor to receive the Grand Award. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of everyone at Game Science Interactive Technology and the support of our valued partners, as well as the enthusiastic response from all Black Myth: Wukong players. The inspiration for Black Myth: Wukong comes from Journey to the West, one of China’s ‘Four Great Classical Novels’. Thanks to this masterpiece written over 400 years ago, and the fusion of China’s rich cultural heritage with the latest advancements in game development technology, we were able to create an action RPG that brings the grandeur and beauty of Chinese mythology to life. Moving forward, we will continue listening to player feedback, exploring cutting-edge technology, and creating more exciting gameplay and thought-provoking stories. Thanks to our distribution platforms and to every Destined One who has joined us on this westward journey!” For Square Enix's Naoki Hamahuchi, “I am thrilled that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was chosen for the Grand Award – which is only awarded to the top three Japanese/Asian titles with the highest worldwide sales – especially since Final Fantasy VII Remake received the same honor. I am truly grateful to the many fans who have supported this game and made it possible for us to receive this esteemed award. The Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy will finally conclude with the next installment. The team is working incredibly hard to make it a rewarding finale, so we hope that you will continue to support us.”
(With words by Sachie Kobari, PlayStation.Blog Japan)
