Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association

The Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA, Chairman: Yoichi Wada, Location: Nishi Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo) has determined the winners of the “Games of the Year Division” awards, which is held as part of the “Japan Game Awards 2009” hosted by CESA.

“Mario Kart Wii” (Nintendo Co., Ltd.) and “METAL GEAR SOLID 4 GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS” (Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.) have been selected as the winners of the “Games of the Year Division” Award as the most notable game software title released in Japan between April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009.

【Games of the Year Division Title Selections】

Platforms:
PS2: PlayStation®2 / PS3: PlayStation®3 / PSP: PlayStation®Portable /
DS: Nintendo DS, DS Lite, and DSi / XB360: Xbox360

“Mario Kart Wii,” winner of the Grand Award, is a landmark game in that it utilizes communications functions to enable people around the world to directly compete in a race using Wii handle. It is also highly evaluated and selected as the Grand Award winner because it is a “classic game that allows any number of people to play the game,” and also because of its appeal to a wide range of users from beginners, to children, to adults.
　
“METAL GEAR SOLID 4 GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS” was also selected as a winner of the Grand Award because of its advanced visual and audio technologies, and its story and game system, which all contribute to the overwhelming quality of the title. Consequently it is elevated to a new level which exceeds the conventional definition of games and is a supreme form of entertainment. The title was also selected as a winner because of the enthusiastic support of its users and its high level of user satisfaction.
　
“Pokémon Platinum Version” was chosen as the winner of “Best Sales Award” as it sold a total of 2.4 million units within Japan during the period, and a total of 5.66 million units globally as of the end of June 2009, overwhelming any of its competitors’ sales numbers.
　
“MONSTER HUNTER PORTABLE® 2nd G PSP® the Best” was selected by the Japan Game Awards Selection Committee members as a Special Award winner due in part to its ability to achieve a remarkable level of one million in sales. It received high marks and was selected because of its ability to continue to capture strong sales long after its initial launch.
　
“Style Savvy” was also chosen as a winner of the Special Award for its ability to create a new genre of games with the theme of fashion targeting elementary school girls and their mothers. This game was chosen by the Selection Committee members for its wide range of users spanning different generations.
　
“Wii Fit” was selected as the winner of the “Global Award Japanese Product” award for its contribution to the expansion of the game market not only in Japan but in overseas markets as well. Unique features of this game have enabled it to win the strong support of users around the world.
　
Due to its strong entertainment value reflected in the record breaking sales of 3.6 million units on the first day and 6.0 million units within the first week after its launch, “Grand Theft Auto Ⅳ” was chosen as the winner of the “Global Award Foreign Product” award. These sales result allowed “Grand Theft Auto IV” to be recorded as the highest selling entertainment product by the Guinness Book of Records.
　
For more detailed information about the selection criteria of the winning titles, please go to the official Japan Game Awards site at the following URL: http://awards.cesa.or.jp/en/
　
Our Association provides seals to be placed on packages of the titles that received awards, and creates posters to be provided to game retail shops with information about the award winners. Through the use of these seals and posters, we endeavor to raise the recognition of the Japan Game Awards in addition to helping to boost sales of the award winning game titles. Other goals of the Japan Game Awards are to increase the public awareness of the attractiveness of computer entertainment and to contribute to the development of the industry.

Japan Game Awards 2009
“Amateur Division” and “Future Division” Awards Announcement Schedule

In addition to the “Games of the Year” award, the “Amateur Division” award, presented to amateurs individuals or organizations creating original game titles, and the “Future Division” award, selected from the various yet-to-be-sold games presented at show by both visitors and the Japan Game Awards Selection Committee, will be announced and presented according to the schedule listed below.

“Amateur Division”

Date and Time: Saturday, September 26, 11:30 to 12:30
Location: Event Stage in Hall 1 of the “Tokyo Game Show 2009”

“Future Division”

Date and Time: Sunday, September 27, 12:30 to 13:30
Location: Event Stage in Hall 1 of the “Tokyo Game Show 2009”

※We ask that those persons in the media wishing to cover the
　 “Tokyo Game Show 2009” obtain press passes. Please show your press pass
　 at the entrance to the event stage.

General Information

Japan Game Awards Office c/o CESA
Nishi-Shimbashi Annex 3F, 1-22-10 Nishi-Shimbashi,Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0003 Japan
Tel: +81-3- 3591 9151
Fax: +81-3- 3591 9152
E-mail：awards@cesa.or.jp