Today, December 1, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) held the PlayStation Partner Awards 2023 Japan Asia (hereafter PlayStation Partner Awards) to recognize and award some of the best PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 titles that proved to be a huge success over the past year. Read on for a rundown of all the games that received awards at this event.
The PlayStation Partner Awards is a celebration that honors the creativity of talented developers, and celebrates the amazing variety of hit titles that the Japanese and Asian PlayStation communities enjoyed throughout the year. This year marks the 29th year of this historic event, which initially commenced as the PlayStation Awards, following the birth of the original PlayStation in 1994.
For the 2023 PlayStation Partner Awards, the Grand Award was presented to three titles, the Partner Award to seven titles, the Special Award to three titles, and the Users’ Choice Award to five titles. The Users’ Choice Award is awarded to games selected by user votes in the Japan/Asia region.
This year, the Special Award recognizes PlayStation VR2 titles with highest worldwide sales, as well as titles that implemented accessibility features that created experiences which can be enjoyed by players of all abilities. SIE is dedicated to delivering innovative gaming experiences to all players around the world, and this commitment extends to improving accessibility in both our hardware and software products. Along with the support of our creators and publishers, SIE will continue to push for an even more inclusive and accessible industry.
Grand Award
Awarded to the top three titles developed in the Japan / Asia regions with the highest worldwide sales between October 2022 and September 2023*.
- Genshin Impact – HoYoverse
- Resident Evil 4 – Capcom Co., Ltd.
- Final Fantasy XVI – Square Enix Co. Ltd
Partner Award
Awarded to titles developed in the Japan / Asia region with top-ranked worldwide sales between October 2022 and September 2023**, with particularly noteworthy accomplishments.
- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon – FromSoftware, Inc.
- eFootball 2023 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
- Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty – Koei Tecmo Games Co., Ltd.
- Elden Ring – FromSoftware, Inc.
- Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion – Square Enix Co. Ltd
- Street Fighter 6 – Capcom Co., Ltd.
- Sonic Frontiers – Sega
Special Award
Awarded to titles developed outside the Japan / Asia region that reached the highest sales within Japan / Asia between October 2022 and September 2023 on PS5*. Also awarded to titles developed in the Japan / Asia region during the same period, notable for their exceptional accessibility features. Additionally, this category includes PlayStation VR2 titles with top-ranked worldwide sales* during this period.
- Hogwarts Legacy – Warner Bros. Japan LLC.
- Street Fighter 6 – Capcom Co., Ltd.
- Resident Evil Village VR Mode – Capcom Co., Ltd.
Users’ Choice Award
Awarded to the top five titles released in the Japan / Asia region between October 2022 and September 2023, selected by user votes in the Japan / Asia region, out of the top 30 titles with the longest total game play time.
- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon – FromSoftware, Inc.
- Resident Evil 4 – Capcom Co., Ltd.
- Final Fantasy XVI – Square Enix Co. Ltd
- Persona 5 The Royal – Atlus. Co., Ltd.
- Hogwarts Legacy – Warner Bros. Japan LLC.
* Calculated based on physical sales as well as digital sales made through PlayStation Store (including additional content and in-game currency).
** SIE’s own indicators, such as player numbers, are also factored into the selection of nominees.
Listed publishers are that of the Japanese PlayStation Store.
Genshin Impact
HoYoverse
An open-world action RPG set in the fantasy world of Teyvat, where players take on the role of a “Traveler” who is on a journey to find their lost sibling, while uncovering the secrets of the world in the process.
The game supports cross-platform play across PS5, PS4, mobile and PC, allowing players to enjoy a single player experience in the vast open-world, or a multiplayer adventure with friends. Genshin Impact features a beautiful open-world that invites players to explore freely, as well as strategic battles using elemental attacks and a deep engaging story. The game continues to evolve with rich content, cutting edge technology, and extensive localization support.
“Hello everyone! I am extremely honored to attend the PlayStation Partner Awards ceremony on behalf of the entire HoYoverse team. This is the third consecutive year that we have received the Grand Award since the release of Genshin Impact in 2020, and we are truly grateful to the entire PlayStation team as well as all the players around the world for their continued support. 2023 has been an exciting year for us, as we continued to grow as a team. We also released a new region in the game called Fontaine, which allows players to explore underwater for the first time ever. At the same time, we improved the visuals and animations of the game on PS4 and PS5, to make the overall gameplay even smoother and more immersive. We will continue to deliver engaging and high-quality content to players around the world that will hopefully exceed everyone’s expectations.“
– Wenyi Jin, VP, Global Publishing and Marketing, HoYoverse
Resident Evil 4
Capcom Co., Ltd.
Resident Evil 4 (RE4), which has now sold more than 5-million copies worldwide, is a remake of the original game released back in 2005. As the latest title in the Resident Evil series, RE4 achieves state-of-the-art quality, with updated controls, reimagined storylines, and the latest graphics, while preserving the essence of the original game. The Separate Ways DLC that features Ada Wong’s parallel journey through the events of RE4 is also available now. This winter, Resident Evil 4 VR Mode, a free DLC that allows players to enjoy the game on PlayStation VR2, will also become available, offering players the ultimate immersive experience.
“We are honored and delighted to have received the Grand Award and the Users’ Choice Award as part of this year’s PlayStation Partner Awards. The entire development team would like to thank everyone who played, supported, and voted for this game. It was a challenge to create a remake of a game that is beloved by so many fans around the world. However, receiving these wonderful awards has made us realize that we were successful at achieving our goal, even if only a little. In addition to the new Separate Ways story DLC, we are excited to release Resident Evil 4 VR Mode for PS VR2 this winter, as a free DLC. Thank you everyone for your continued support of the Resident Evil series!“
– Yoshiaki Hirabayashi, Producer, Capcom
Final Fantasy XVI
Square Enix Co. Ltd
Players take on the role of Clive Rosfield, the firstborn son of the Archduke of Rosaria, who is driven by revenge and overcome with unavoidable tragedy following the loss of his homeland and younger brother. Selling more than 3-million copies worldwide, this latest standalone entry in the legendary Final Fantasy series is the first full-fledged action RPG in the series. The game features stylish combat and epic Eikon battles that unlock the PS5 console’s full potential. The game will continue to evolve with additional DLC coming in the future,
“We are extremely thrilled to receive the prestigious Grand Award and Users’ Choice Award. I would like to thank everyone on behalf of all members that worked on Final Fantasy XVI. This achievement was made possible thanks to the many players who enjoyed the game. Again, thank you very much! Please continue to look forward to what the Final Fantasy series and what Square Enix have in store for the future.“
– Hiroshi Takai, Main Director, Square Enix Co. Ltd
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the players who have made it possible for Final Fantasy XVI to receive the Grand Award and the Users’ Choice Award. Thank you very much. We hope that Clive Rothfield’s story serves as a source of motivation and inspiration for everyone who played the game. We hope you will continue to support us on our journey as we strive to create more memorable and exciting games in the future.“
– Kazutoyo Maehiro, Creative Director & Original Screenplay, Square Enix Co. Ltd
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
FromSoftware, Inc.
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a fast-paced action game where players create their own customized mech from a wide variety of parts and weaponry, and take on challenging, three-dimensional battles. Players can deploy a wide variety of offensive and defensive tactics at close and long range to take down powerful enemy bosses. Selecting different parts not only changes the mech’s attacks, but also directly affects its movement and battle style, so each mission can be approached with a unique mech strategy.
“Thank you very much for this amazing award. As this is our first new game in 10 years, we had to start many things from scratch, and the whole development process was a lot of trial and error. We were very anxious about the launch, but we are extremely pleased with all the amazing feedback we’ve received from players so far. This is all thanks to the tremendous effort of everyone who was involved in the development, all the team members who stayed with us until completion, and above all, to the new users who picked up an Armored Core game for the first time, as well as all the AC fans who had been patiently waiting for this latest installment. We hope you continue to support the team at FromSoftware and the Armored Core series.“
– Masaru Yamamura, Director, FromSoftware, Inc.
eFootball 2023
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
The game eFootball is a 2022 rebrand of the long-running Pro Evolution Soccer series (first released in 1995, known as Winning Eleven in Japan). The gameplay and mechanics have been completely overhauled, and the game is now available free-to-play on all compatible devices. Players can sign and develop perennial legends and high-profile players from the world’s most prestigious clubs to build a one-and-only Dream Team. You can also play matches with multiple friends (up to three vs three). Weekly updates will reflect real-life player transfers and seasonal results, allowing players to experience an even more authentic soccer experience.
“Thank you very much for this prestigious award. [The year] 2021 was a challenging year for us — we made the big decision to rebrand Winning Eleven to eFootball, but unfortunately the result was not what we had hoped for. From there, in order to regain the trust of those who had placed their faith in eFootball, the entire development and management team worked hard to create a soccer game that would meet everyone’s expectations. We are truly honored that our work has been rewarded in the form of this prestigious award. We would like to thank everyone who has been playing eFootball, and we hope you will continue to support and enjoy the series in the future.“
– Hiroshi Nakanishi, Senior Director, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
Koei Tecmo Games Co., Ltd.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a dark fantasy action RPG set in the Later Han Dynasty where demons plague the Three Kingdoms. You can master a range of weapons, with authentic swordplay based on the Chinese martial arts, and adopt offensive fighting styles to battle your way through intense combat. In less than two months since its launch, the game exceeded 3.8-million players and sold more than 1-million copies worldwide.
“Thank you so much for the Partner Award – it is truly an honor. First and foremost, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has played this game. Our team will continue to work hard to deliver an even better experience, and we hope you will look forward to the third round of downloadable content, which will be released on Tuesday, December 12. We look forward to your continued support of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty and Team NINJA. Again, thank you very much for this exceptional award.“
– Masakazu Hirayama, Producer and Director, Koei Tecmo Games Co., Ltd.
Elden Ring
FromSoftware, Inc.
Shipping more than 20-million units worldwide, Elden Ring is an action RPG that explores the unknown and the threatening in an authentic dark fantasy world. The game features a vast world, tense dungeon exploration, a sense of accomplishment overcoming difficulties, adventures with a high degree of freedom, and an ensemble drama woven by the characters. Critically acclaimed worldwide, Elden Ring was awarded Game of the Year in The Game Awards 2022, and the Grand Award at the Japan Game Awards 2022.
“Thank you very much for this wonderful award. We would like to take this opportunity to once again thank all the users who have played this game. We are currently developing the downloadable content Shadow of the Erdtree. We hope you will look forward to it as well. We hope you will continue to support Elden Ring.“
– Elden Ring team, FromSoftware, Inc.
Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion
Square Enix Co. Ltd
His presence gave birth to Final Fantasy VII; Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion follows the story of Zack Fair, a young warrior admired by the boy destined to save the world. Since its initial release in 2007, Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII has received many praises for its gripping and moving story. In addition to the fully remastered HD graphics, all 3D models — including characters and background — have been completely renewed in this game. Fully voiced dialogue and the new soundtrack arrangements make for a dynamic new retelling of a beloved classic. Enhanced visuals and a vastly smoother gameplay experience breaks the limits of an HD remaster.
“Thank you very much for the wonderful Partner Award we received at the PlayStation Partner Awards. Our teams worked very hard to make this game an exciting experience for as many players as possible, so we are truly honored to be presented with this award. We would especially like to thank the many players who played and enjoyed this game. We will continue to work on games that everyone can enjoy, and we hope you will continue to support us. Thank you very much.“
– Mariko Sato, Producer, Square Enix Co. Ltd
Street Fighter 6
Capcom Co., Ltd.
Hit the streets with new ways to play and fight in the latest entry of Capcom’s legendary fighting series. Ryu, Chun-Li, Luke, Jamie, and Kimberly – the game features a vibrant roster of fighters, from Legendaries to the New Generation, which takes the stage with striking visuals and dynamic move sets. The Street Fighter 6 experience spans across three distinct game modes – Fighting Ground, World Tour, and Battle Hub. The traditional, pinnacle of fighting games can be found in the Fighting Ground, World Tour features an immersive single-player story mode, and lastly, Battle Hub represents a core mode of Street Fighter 6 where players can gather, communicate, and become stronger together. Your path to becoming a World Warrior starts here. Your moment. Your fight.
“Yes!! I’m so incredibly excited!! The entire development team, led by Director Nakayama, worked tremendously hard on Street Fighter 6 to create the next evolution of the Street Fighter series. World Tour, Battle Hub, modern controls, character visuals and animations, flashy effects to showcase the incredible things happening on-screen, cool sounds, cool design, a smooth online experience… the list goes on and on. Street Fighter 6 blends innovative new features with the more traditional elements that make Street Fighter so great and special. The development team continues to work hard on the game, not only through crossover events but also through monthly content updates. If you’re just starting out, or even if you haven’t picked up the series since Street Fighter II, this is a game you’ll definitely enjoy, so jump in anytime!“
– Shuhei Matsumoto, Producer, Capcom Co., Ltd.
Sonic Frontiers
Sega
Accelerate to new heights in Sonic the Hedgehog’s newest high-speed, open-zone adventure that has sold more than 3.2-million copies worldwide. In this game, players explore the Starfall Islands which are home to strange creatures Sonic has never encountered before. Experience an all-new Open Zone Platforming Race across five massive overworld islands, each with their own unique action-platforming challenges and hidden secrets to uncover.
“I am extremely honored to receive this prestigious award, thank you so much. It has been 32 years since the birth of Sonic. I am very grateful we were able to release a brand-new, innovative game in a series that is beloved by fans worldwide, as well as receive the Partner Award at the PlayStation Partner Awards. We will continue to strive to bring players even more exciting Sonic games in the future.“
– Morio Kishimoto, Director, Sega
Hogwarts Legacy
Warner Bros. Japan LLC.
Hogwarts Legacy is an immersive, open-world action RPG set in the world first introduced in the Harry Potter books. The game became an instant global hit, selling more than 15-million copies worldwide and was awarded with the Award for Excellence in the Annual Game of the Year category at the 2023 Japan Game Awards. Experience Hogwarts in the 1800s, as you take on the role of a fifth-year student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, who holds the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding world apart. Customize your character and craft potions, master spell casting, upgrade talents and become the wizard you want to be. Discover the feeling of living at Hogwarts as you make allies, battle Dark Wizards and ultimately decide the fate of the wizarding world.
“On behalf of Avalanche Software, we are honored to be selected for both the Special Award and the Users’ Choice Award at this year’s PlayStation Partner Awards. Being able to work on Hogwarts Legacy on the PS5 console was an incredible experience, as PS5 allowed us to bring every fantasy imaginable to life. We owe these awards to not only our passion for creating the ultimate Wizarding World video game for fans around the world, but also to our amazing partnership with Sony who supported us on our journey to bring the game to life. We look forward to your continued support of Hogwarts Legacy, WB Games and Avalanche Software.“
– Kelly Murphy, Senior Designer, Avalanche Software
Resident Evil Village VR Mode
Capcom Co., Ltd.
Resident Evil Village VR Mode is a special game mode that allows you to play through the entirety of Resident Evil Village’s story on PS VR2 as the game’s main protagonist, Ethan Winters. Jump head-first into the ultimate VR experience and fully immerse yourself in the game’s chills and thrills, as well as its enthralling story that captivated gaming fans around the world. It is now available as a free DLC, so if you have not experienced it yet, we hope you take this opportunity to challenge yourself with this ultimate survival horror experience.
“The entire development team as well as myself are delighted to receive the Special Award, especially after receiving the Partner Award for Resident Evil Village last year. This is our second VR Mode following Resident Evil 7, and we’re confident that Resident Evil Village VR Mode takes full advantage of the technological advancements PS VR2 has to offer. However, as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words – it can be challenging to convey the full potential of VR. We wanted as many people as possible to experience the unparalleled realism that goes far beyond the 2D experience, so we made sure a free trial was available. Resident Evil 4 VR Mode will be available soon as well, so we invite players to enjoy the game on PS VR2 for the ultimate immersive experience.“
– Tsuyoshi Kanda, Producer, Capcom Co., Ltd.
Persona 5 The Royal
Atlus. Co., Ltd.
Persona 5 The Royal is the definitive edition of the award-winning RPG, which has now sold more than a total of 3.2-million copies worldwide, and expands on the original Persona 5 by featuring a slew of additional content. The PS4 version, released in 2019, has garnered numerous awards, including the Future Division for the 2019 Japan Game Awards, and Games of the Year Division – Award for Excellence for the 2020 Japan Game Awards. The PS5 version was then released in October 2022. Set in the metropolis of Tokyo, an unexpected event one day awakens a teenage boy’s power as a Persona-user. During the day he is an ordinary high school student, but after school he dons the mask of a Phantom Thief who steals Treasures that embody the corrupt hearts of evil adults. Reclaim the world to become the voice for the powerless!
“Thank you very much for this prestigious award! Our entire team is absolutely delighted to see that even more players have jumped into the world of Persona 5, and have shown support with the release of this remastered version. Persona 5 Royal has been beloved by many players since its release in 2019. We will continue to work hard to return the favor by delivering even more exciting games to our fans, so we hope that you will continue to support us moving forward. For now, I would like to share this joy with all the staff who were involved in this project!“
– Kazuhisa Wada, Persona team production manager, Atlus. Co., Ltd.
