Today marks a significant milestone in the gaming world as PlayStation celebrates its 30th anniversary on December 3rd. To honor this special occasion, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) orchestrated the 2024 PlayStation Partner Awards in Japan Asia. The event was a grand affair, dedicated to celebrating the incredible games and the creative minds behind them that have graced the PlayStation platforms in the Japan/Asia region.
This year’s ceremony wasn’t just about the latest and greatest titles released on the PS5 and PS4 between October 2023 and September 2024. It also took a nostalgic look back, recognizing standout games crafted by Japanese and Asian developers that have been released over the past three decades on earlier PlayStation consoles. We’re talking about the classics from the original PlayStation to the PlayStation 4, each leaving a unique mark in the annals of gaming history. Let’s dive into the list of incredible games that snagged awards this year.
Starting with the Excellence Award, which celebrates a game developed in the Japan/Asia region that achieves both commercial success and has a lasting impact over three years. This honor went to Genshin Impact by HoYoverse.
Next up, the Grand Award was given to the top three titles based on worldwide sales. Between October 2023 and September 2024, these titles dominated the charts. The winners were Black Myth: Wukong by Game Science Interactive Technology, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree by FromSoftware, Inc and Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth by Square Enix Co. Ltd.
The Partner Award recognized games that soared to global popularity, also judging by their sales success in the same period. Titles such as Dragon’s Dogma 2 by Capcom Co., Ltd. and Honkai: Star Rail by HoYoverse were among the noteworthy recipients.
In the Special Award category, Rise of the Ronin (developed by Koei Tecmo) and Stellar Blade (developed by Shift Up) stood out. These PS5 titles, developed outside Japan/Asia in collaboration with SIE, achieved remarkable success within the region.
The Users’ Choice Award was determined by votes from players in the Japan/Asia region, spotlighting titles with the longest cumulative gameplay time. Among others, Black Myth: Wukong and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth charmed their way to the top five.
Finally, the PlayStation Generations Awards spotlighted fan-favorites from each era of PlayStation. Titles like Final Fantasy VII from the original PlayStation era and Elden Ring from the PS4 era took center stage.
Players and developers alike shared heartfelt messages of gratitude and excitement. The developers of Genshin Impact expressed their appreciation for the continued support from players and PlayStation, emphasizing that their journey with the game is far from over. On the other hand, FromSoftware’s team behind Elden Ring expressed their joy and dedication to delivering thrilling games for their fans.
For Black Myth: Wukong, the team at Game Science Interactive Technology drew inspiration from China’s rich cultural history, crafting a narrative-rich experience that resonated with players globally. Meanwhile, Square Enix is all abuzz as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth continues to capture hearts, with plans afoot for an enthralling conclusion to their remake trilogy.
The PlayStation Partner Awards 2024 not only celebrated the past but also highlighted the exciting future that lies ahead in the ever-evolving world of gaming.
