Celebrating 30 Years of PlayStation: The 2024 PlayStation Partner Awards
December 3rd marks a significant milestone in the gaming world as PlayStation celebrates its 30th anniversary. To commemorate this occasion, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) hosted the 2024 PlayStation Partner Awards in the Japan Asia region. This annual event honors the exceptional games and talented developers who have made a significant impact on the PlayStation platform, particularly in the Japan/Asia region.
The 2024 awards not only recognized the outstanding titles released for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 between October 2023 and September 2024 but also celebrated the legacy of Japanese and Asian developers whose games have graced previous PlayStation platforms over the past three decades. These platforms include the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable (PSP), PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation 4. Let’s delve into the details of this prestigious event and the games that received accolades.
Excellence Award
The Excellence Award is presented to a game developed in the Japan/Asia region that has achieved both a significant commercial success and a lasting impact over the past three years. This year, the award was given to:
Genshin Impact (HoYoverse)
Genshin Impact has captivated players worldwide with its expansive open world, engaging gameplay, and compelling storyline. The game’s success is a testament to the dedication of its developers and the enthusiastic support from its player base.
Grand Award
The Grand Award is reserved for the top three titles developed in the Japan and Asia regions that have achieved the highest worldwide sales between October 2023 and September 2024. The winners of this prestigious accolade are:
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)
These games not only achieved commercial success but also garnered critical acclaim for their innovation, storytelling, and gameplay mechanics.
Partner Award
The Partner Award honors titles developed in the Japan/Asia region that have achieved top-ranked worldwide sales during the specified period, alongside noteworthy accomplishments. The recipients of this award include:
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)
These games have excelled in various aspects, from storytelling and graphics to gameplay innovation.
Special Award
The Special Award is given to PlayStation 5 titles developed in collaboration with SIE outside the Japan/Asia region that have achieved outstanding success within Japan/Asia. This year’s winners are:
Rise of the Ronin (SIE, developed by Koei Tecmo)
Stellar Blade (SIE, developed by Shift Up)
These titles have resonated with players in Japan and Asia, showcasing the global appeal of collaborative game development.
Users’ Choice Award
The Users’ Choice Award is decided by player votes, recognizing the top five titles released in the Japan/Asia region between October 2023 and September 2024. The winners, chosen from the top 30 titles with the longest total gameplay time, are:
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)
This award reflects the preferences and engagement of the gaming community in the region.
PlayStation Generations Awards
The PlayStation Generations Awards celebrate titles chosen by users in the Japan and Asia regions from each PlayStation generation. These games are previous “PlayStation Partner Award” winners, highlighting their enduring popularity and legacy.
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.)
These titles represent the best of each PlayStation era, showcasing the evolution of gaming experiences over the years.
Messages from Award Recipients
Genshin Impact
HoYoverse expressed their gratitude to players and PlayStation for the Excellence Award, acknowledging it as a significant milestone in their journey. They emphasized the endless possibilities in Genshin Impact’s world and their commitment to creating fresh content for players to explore and enjoy.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment thanked players for their continued support, expressing their excitement about delivering engaging content. The developers acknowledged the anticipation for the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and expressed gratitude to the community for keeping the game thriving.
Black Myth: Wukong
Game Science Interactive Technology celebrated the Grand Award as a tribute to their team’s hard work and the inspiration drawn from China’s rich cultural heritage. They vowed to continue exploring cutting-edge technology and creating compelling stories.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Square Enix expressed their delight in receiving the Grand Award, highlighting the support from fans and the anticipation for concluding the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy. They promised a rewarding finale for players to look forward to.
The PlayStation Partner Awards not only celebrate the achievements of developers and games but also reflect the vibrant and dynamic gaming culture that has evolved over the past 30 years. As PlayStation continues to innovate and push the boundaries of gaming, it remains a beloved platform for players and developers worldwide. The legacy of PlayStation’s past and the promise of its future continue to captivate and inspire the gaming community.
For more detailed information, you can visit the official PlayStation blog or website.
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