The annual Japan Game Awards Ceremony took place earlier today at Tokyo Game Show 2024.
Games that released in Japan between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024 are eligible for the Award for Excellence. The winners are selected by the Japan Game Awards selection committee. Games are evaluated on:
- Game Design
- Programming
- Graphics
- Sound
- Scenario
- User Evaluation
The “Award for Excellence” is primarily based on user votes for highly rated games.
Persona 3 Reload and Unicorn Overlord both received the “Award for Excellence” during this year’s awards ceremony.
The Award show can be seen below, dubbed in English.
Persona 3 Reload
Persona 3 Reload’s award, with messages from director Takuya Yamaguchi and producer Kazuhisa Wada, can be seen at the 1:11:30 time stamp.
Statements from the developers can be read below.
Producer Kazuhisa Wada
When we first started this project, I never imagined we would receive such an award. I’m absolutely thrilled!
We believe it is our responsibility to remake classic titless in order to preserve culture, and being able to bring the masterpiece Persona 3 from 18 years ago back to life and have it receive such acclaim from everyone is very meaningful to us.
I am deeply grateful beyond words to all the staff who played such an important role and, especially, to everyone who played and enjoyed the game.
We will use this as motivation to put our full effort into creating new projects, so we look forward to your continued support!
(Atlus Co., Ltd. Producer, Kazuhisa Wada)
Director Takuya Yamaguchi
Thank you so much for awarding Persona 3 Reload the Excellence Award.
Production on this title began around the end of 2019. As a full-scale remake, something not often seen at Atlus, we faced many hurdles: it was the first Persona title to use Unreal Engine, the Persona Studio had limited experience with next-generation hardware development, it was multi-platform, and we planned a simultaneous worldwide release.
For about the first year, we were fumbling around, not knowing which way to go, and just working relentlessly.
It was unbelievably tough, and there were many times when I almost gave up. However, Persona 3 has been a title that many fans have long requested through our annual Atlus surveys. I couldn’t let give up until we delivered it to you all! I pushed myself to the limit and somehow managed to make it through. (laughs)
Receiving this prestigious award, with votes from all of you, is the greatest honor we could have hoped for. I am sincerely grateful.
Once again, to everyone who believed in and waited for the Persona 3 remake, and to those who voted for us in the Game Awards, thank you so much!
We will continue to work hard to live up to your expectations, so we would be grateful for your continued support in the future.
(Atlus Co., Ltd. Director, Takuya Yamaguchi)
To celebrate the award, Atlus has released a commemorative illustration by Persona 3 Reload character designer Azusa Shimada.
Unicorn Overlord
Unicorn Overlord’s award being received by Atlus managing director Naoto Hiraoka can be seen at the 1:19:40 timestamp.
Vanillaware director Takashi Noma and main planner Wataru Nakanishi have given statements, which can be read below.
Director Takashi Noma
Thanks to everyone’s support, Unicorn Overlord has been given the Award for Excellence.
Not only did my dream of creating a fantasy work of swords and magic come true, but to be selected for such a prestigious award is an immense honor and overwhelming.
Although we packed everything we wanted into this game, I was always worried, wondering if it would be well received.
Even when the demo was released, I was too scared to check the feedback and nervously searched for reactions. But when I saw how much everyone was enjoying it, I felt reinvigorated.
It has been a decade of trial and error, but I’m very happy to be able to read everyone’s comments like this.
With this award as motivation, we will continue to devote ourselves to game development even more.
Lastly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone involved with this project and to all those who purchased a copy.
Thank you very much.
Vanillaware Ltd.
Unicorn Overlord Director,
Takashi Noma
Main Planner Wataru Nakanishi
I am truly grateful to have been honored with such a prestigious award.
I am deeply moved after reading the enthusiastic comments from all of those who voted for our game.
Unicorn Overlord began as a project born out of our shared love for SRPGs, together with Director Noma.
We poured our hearts into making a game that could be enjoyed by as many people as possible, and that would introduce the appeal of SRPGs to a wider audience. I am deeply thankful that this game has been recognized in the form of this award.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Basiscape for creating the grand and elegant soundtrack, the voice actors who brought life to the characters with their incredible performances, Atlus for their generous support over the past ten years, and all the staff who approached development with extraordinary passion and dedication.
Thanks to everyone involved, I believe we were able to create a fantastic game.
Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you who played the game. Thank you so much!
Vanillaware Ltd.
Unicorn Overlord Lead Planner,
Wataru Nakanishi
All Japan Game Awards 2024 Winners
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
This award is given to individuals or companies for their contributions to video games and Japan’s media industry.
- PlayStation
Game Designers Award
- Viewfinder
Best Sales Award
- Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Special Award
This award is given to games that implement user-friendly interfaces for players with disabilities, and efforts to make games accessible to everyone.
- Street Fighter 6
Breakthrough Award
A new category, given to games with exceptionally creative ideas.
- Exit 8
Movement Award
A new category, given to games with innovative mechanics.
- Suika Game
Excellence Awards
- Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Street Fighter 6
- Final Fantasy XVI
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Persona 3 Reload
- Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
- Unicorn Overlord
- Dragon’s Dogma 2
Game of the Year Grand Award
- Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom