Japan Game Awards 2008
“Games of the Year Division” - Voting Open Now

Vote via postcard or Internet by Friday, August 15
Entries for “Amateur Division” also open until Monday, June 30

The Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA, chaired by Wada Youichi, located in Minato-ku, Tokyo) announces today that Japan Game Awards is now accepting public voting for the “Games of the Year Division”, to select and award the most prominent computer entertainment software of the year. Voting is open until Friday, August 15.

Voters are asked to select one (1) most excellent product from among those released in Japan between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008. Software running on any platform is eligible.

Votings are accepted via postcard or Internet. Internet addresses for entry are http://awards.cesa.or.jp/ for Personal computer and http://awards.cesa.or.jp/m/ for mobile phones (except AIR-EDGE). Voters are entered in the lottery where winners may win travel gift certificates, various video game consoles, Award-winning software, or entrance tickets for the TOKYO GAME SHOW 2008. Or voters may choose to enter the drawing for the special invitation to the Award Ceremony of the Games of the Year Division, Japan Game Awards 2008, to be presented on the stage at TOKYO GAME SHOW 2008 on Thursday, October 9, 16:00 - 17:15. The invitation will be sent to 100 groups of two, total of 200 persons.

Entries for “Amateur Division” is also open for original works by amateurs, regardless of whether they are companies, groups, individuals, students or workers. Grand Award winner will be presented with a trophy as well as 500,000 yen cash prize; Awards of Excellence winners will win a trophy and 50,000 yen, and “Honorable Mention” winners will be presented with a trophy. Last day for entry is Monday, June 30. Details for entry is available at the official website (http://awards.cesa.or.jp/).

Voting for “Future Division”, for unpublished works presented at TOKYO GAME SHOW 2008, may only be made onsite at TOKYO GAME SHOW 2008 between October 9 and October 11. Among those who vote, 200 lucky winners will receive the software that have won the Future Division award, as well as original goods.

Japan Game Awards 2008 and TOKYO GAME SHOW 2008 are official events participating in Japan International Contents Festival　2008 ＜“CoFesta” (*1)＞, which enters its second year.

Japan Game Awards 2008, with its partnership with the world’s greatest game festival, TOKYO GAME SHOW 2008, and Japan International Contents Festival 2008, will present to the world excellent creators and works of Japan. Please look forward to Japan Game Awards 2008.

*1 Japan International Contents Festival 2008 (CoFesta) http://www.cofesta.jp/
CoFesta is a world’s largest all-inclusive festival, featuring various events on Japan’s internationally renowned content industries, such as games, animations, cartoons characters, music, broadcasting programs and movies. From Tuesday, September 30 to Tuesday, October 28, for 29 days, 13 official events and other original events are planned.

 

Contact details for Japan Game Awards

■General Inquires: Japan Game Awards Administration Office
TEL ： 03-3837-5715

■Other inquries: Japan Game Awards Office c/o CESA
TEL ： 03-3591-1431／FAX ： 03-3591-1422／E-mail ： awards@cesa.or.jp

 

About general voting for "Games of the Year Division"

Eligible Game	All games that were released onto the Japanese market between April 1, 2007, and March 31, 2008. ※Includes games operable on home video game consoles (stationary or portable-type), personal computers or mobile phones regardless of platform type.
Voting period	April 14 to Friday, August 15, 2008
Voting Eligibility	Voting is open to all members of the public regardless of gender, age, nationality, residential area, gaming experience or ownership of video game consoles. One person is limited to casting one vote.
Voting accept	＜ Voting by postcard＞ Voting procedure   Please fill the following items:　1. Name 2. Gender 3. Age 4. Address 5. Telephone no. 6. Occupation 7. E-mail address (if applicable) 8. Name of software voted for　9. Game console 10. Reason for vote selection and 11. Preferred present course.   Mailing address     "Japan Game Awards" 6F Sotokanda Bldg. 5-4-13 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021 ＜ Voting by Internet＞ On the following URL to access, fill out and submit. Personal computer : http://awards.cesa.or.jp/ Mobile phone (except AIR-EDGE) : http://awards.cesa.or.jp/m/
Prizes	The following prizes will be presented to the winners of a special prize draw for vote casters. Course A／ Travel voucher (value of 200,000 yen): one person Course B／ "PLAYSTATION®3", "PlayStation®Portable", "Wii", "Nintendo DS", or "Xbox360": five persons (one video game console per winner) Course C／ Award-winning software or related goods from "Games of the Year Division of Japan Game Awards 2008": 100 persons Course D／ Pair entrance ticket to "TOKYO GAME SHOW 2008": 200 persons (100 pair tickets)(For use on either general exhibition days of Saturday, October 11 or Sunday, October 12) Course E／ Pair-invitation ticket to the Awards Ceremony of Japan Game Awards 2008(Games of the Year Division): 200 persons (100 pair tickets)

 

About general voting for "Future Division"

Eligible Game	All pre-release games presented and exhibited (including videotaped products) at "TOKYO GAME SHOW 2008" from Thursday, October 9, to Sunday, October 12, 2008. ※Includes games operable on home video game consoles (stationary or portable-type), personal computers or mobile phones regardless of platform type.
Voting period	During "TOKYO GAME SHOW 2008":Thursday, October 9 - Saturday, October 11, 2008.
Voting Eligibility	Voting is open to all members of the public regardless of gender, age, nationality, residential area, gaming experience or ownership of video game consoles. One person is limited to casting one vote.
Voting procedure	Please fill in a form available at the "TOKYO GAME SHOW 2008" venue.
Prizes	Voters will be entered into the drawing for: Software and associated goods from the winners of Future Division, Japan Game Awards 2008 - for 200 winners Note: Winners will not be announced publicly, and will receive the shipment of the prize after the software is released.

 

Japan Game awards 2008 Purpose

Event Name	Japan Game Awards 2008
Organizer	Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA)
Supporting Body	The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Product Requirements	All computer entertainment games are eligible, including those operable on consumer-oriented home video game consoles (stationary or portable-type) or PCs, regardless of platform type.Games produced by non-members of the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association are also eligible. (Games must, however, comply with CESA ethics codes). ● Games of the Year Division Eligible Game   All games that were released onto the Japanese market between April 1, 2007, and March 31, 2008, are eligible for these awards. Awards   ・Grand Award (1 title) ・Award for Excellence (number unspecified) ・Global Award / Japanese Product (1 title) Foreign Product (1 title) ・Best Sales Award (1 title) ・Special Award (awarded only if there are appropriate recipients) Award Selection Procedure   After the general voting is completed, the Japan Game Awards Selection Committee will be called to select the winners on the basis of the following selection criteria. ● Future Division Eligible Game   All pre-release games (including videotaped products) presented and exhibited at the "TOKYO GAME SHOW 2008" from October 9 to 12, 2008. Awards   ・Award for Excellence (number unspecified) Award Selection Procedure   The winners will be selected by Japan Game Awards Selection Committee, following the general voting by the guests onsite at TOKYO GAME SHOW 2008 from October 9 to October 11. ● Amateur Division Eligible Game   Irrespective of companies, groups or individuals, original works created by amateurs are eligibles. Works already submitted to, being submitted to, or awarded in other contests (except “Amateur Division” of Japan Game Awards 2007) are also eligible, unless such other contests prohibit contestants from making duplicate submissions, or contestants have already assigned or transferred copyright to the organizers or promoters of such other contests. Past completed works are also eligible. * Those who receive payments for creating games, whether belonging to a company or working as a contractor or freelance, are considered professional game creators and as such are asked to refrain from entering. However, works created when amateur are eligible. Application Period   Monday, March 17, 2008 - Monday, June 30, 2008 Awards   ・Grand Award (1 title) Trophy and Award money: 500,000 yen ・Award for Excellence (number unspecified) Trophy and Award money: 50,000 yen ・Honorable Mention (number unspecified) Trophy Award selection procedure   All submissions for the first-stage to review the implementation (VTR review), and works to advance to the second-stage review decision. Judged second in the trial play examination and advance work to determine the final review. "Japan Game Awards Selection Committee" in the final review by the "Grand award" (1 title), "Award for Excellence" (number unspecified), "Honorable Mention" (number unspecified).
Selection Committee	Chairperson selection     Takeshi Yorou Tokyo University honorary professor / Kitasato University A member of a selection committee     Constitute it with a trade journal editor, a person concerned with circulation, a creator
Awards Ceremony Venue Schedule	The awards will be presented on the event stage at "TOKYO GAME SHOW 2008”. Makuhari Messe "Games of the Year Division" : 16:00 to 17:15 on Thursday, October 9, 2008 "Amateur Division" : 11:30 to 12:30 on Saturday, October 11, 2008 "Future Division" : 12:30 to 13:30 on Sunday, October 12, 2008