Celebrating Excellence: PlayStation Partner Awards Japan/Asia 2025
On December 3rd, 2025, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) hosted the PlayStation Partner Awards Japan/Asia event. This annual ceremony is dedicated to recognizing exceptional PlayStation 5 games developed in Japan and Asia, spotlighting the creativity and innovation that continues to flourish within this vibrant gaming community. The awards ceremony is a testament to the dedication and artistry of game creators who have captivated audiences with their immersive and innovative titles over the past year.
A Celebration of Creativity and Innovation
The 2025 PlayStation Partner Awards included the return of traditional categories such as the Users’ Choice Awards, Partner Awards, and Grand Awards. New to this year were the Accessibility Award and the PlayStation Indies Award. These new categories reflect PlayStation’s commitment to inclusive and diverse gameplay experiences and highlight the impactful creativity and development prowess of independent studios.
Notable figures from Sony Interactive Entertainment’s leadership team, including President and CEO Hideaki Nishino, joined Senior Vice Presidents Pete Royea, Kiichiro Urata, and Phil Rosenberg, to honor the award winners. The PlayStation Partner Awards continue to celebrate the incredible variety of hit titles that have resonated with PlayStation communities across Japan and Asia throughout the year.
Grand Award Winners
The Grand Award is reserved for the top five titles developed in the Japan/Asia regions, boasting the highest worldwide sales from October 2024 to September 2025. This year’s prestigious winners include:
- Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero by Bandai Namco Entertainment
- eFootball by Konami
- Marvel Rivals by NetEase Games
- Monster Hunter Wilds by Capcom
- Zenless Zone Zero by HoYoverse
These titles have not only achieved commercial success but have also captured the imaginations of players worldwide, offering rich narratives, engaging gameplay, and innovative features that set new standards in gaming.
Partner Award Recognition
The Partner Award acknowledges games developed in the Japan/Asia region that have achieved top-ranked worldwide sales during the same period. The award celebrates their remarkable commercial accomplishments. Honorees include:
- Elden Ring Nightreign by FromSoftware, Inc. / Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater by Konami
- Path of Exile II by Grinding Gear Games
- Silent Hill f by Konami
- Wuthering Waves by Kuro Games
These titles have each made a significant impact on the gaming landscape, demonstrating excellence in storytelling, gameplay mechanics, and player engagement.
Accessibility Award: Championing Inclusivity
The Accessibility Award recognizes titles developed by Japan/Asia studios that launched in 2025, noted for their high-quality accessible gameplay implementations. Features such as alternative control schemes, colorblind modes, and audio descriptions are celebrated for making games more inclusive to a broader audience. This year’s award went to:
- Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii by Sega
- Monster Hunter Wilds by Capcom
By prioritizing accessibility, these games ensure that more players can enjoy immersive gaming experiences, regardless of their physical abilities.
Introducing the PlayStation Indies Award
Newly introduced, the PlayStation Indies Award honors the creativity and diversity of independent game creators and studios in Japan and Asia. The award recognizes the remarkable achievements of indie titles that have released on PlayStation over the past year. The winners of this inaugural award include:
- Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist by Binary Haze Interactive
- Nine Sols by Red Candle Games
- Urban Myth Dissolution Center by Shueisha Games
John Vega, Global Director of the Indies team, emphasized the importance of indie games, stating, “PlayStation loves Indies!” This award underscores the vibrant indie scene and its contributions to the gaming world.
Users’ Choice Award: Celebrating Player Favorites
The Users’ Choice Award highlights the top five titles released in the Japan/Asia region between October 2024 and September 2025, as voted by users. These games are selected from the top 30 titles with the longest total gameplay time, reflecting the preferences and engagement of the PlayStation community. The winners are:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Kepler Interactive
- Dynasty Warriors: Origins by Koei Tecmo
- Monster Hunter Wilds by Capcom
- Silent Hill f by Konami
- Wuthering Waves by Kuro Games
These titles have captured the hearts and minds of players, offering unforgettable experiences and hours of entertainment.
Messages from the Grand Award Recipients
Below are heartfelt messages from the recipients of the Grand Award, expressing their gratitude and sharing insights about their journey and future endeavors.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero – Bandai Namco Entertainment
The team behind Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero expressed their deep appreciation for the award, highlighting the game as the first new installment in the series in 17 years. They credited the passion and enthusiasm of their fans as vital to the game’s success and expressed their commitment to future developments.
eFootball – Konami
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the eFootball series has evolved from its original Winning Eleven title. Konami’s General Producer, Junichi Taya, thanked players worldwide for their continued support and shared their excitement for the upcoming football season, promising to deliver an even more engaging experience.
Marvel Rivals – NetEase Games
The team at NetEase Games expressed their honor in receiving recognition for Marvel Rivals. They acknowledged the support from PlayStation, their team, Marvel Games, and the millions of players who have embraced the game. The team looks forward to expanding the Marvel universe within the game, offering players new content and experiences.
Monster Hunter Wilds – CAPCOM
CAPCOM’s team expressed their gratitude for receiving both the Grand Award and the Accessibility Award, alongside a Users’ Choice Award nomination. Producer Ryozo Tsujimoto and Director Yuya Tokuda highlighted their dedication to creating an immersive experience for both longtime fans and newcomers, emphasizing their commitment to refining and updating the game based on player feedback.
Zenless Zone Zero – HoYoverse
HoYoverse expressed their honor in receiving the Grand Award for Zenless Zone Zero. Producer Zhenyu Li extended gratitude to players and PlayStation for their support, emphasizing the game’s growth and evolution. The team remains committed to delivering unique artistic styles, exhilarating combat experiences, and continuous updates.
Conclusion
The PlayStation Partner Awards Japan/Asia 2025 highlighted the remarkable achievements and creativity of game developers in the region. The event showcased the diversity and innovation within the gaming industry, celebrating titles that have captivated players worldwide. As we look to the future, these awards inspire continued excellence and creativity in game development, promising exciting experiences for players around the globe.
For more details, visit the official announcement on Sony’s website.
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