Awarded gamesMinister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award goes to the PlayStation
The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award is given to individuals who have contributed to the development of the computer game industry and thus to the PlayStation was selected for the award.
The first Play Station was released in 1994. This December is its 30th anniversary.
CD-ROM is used as a distribution media to reduce a price. In addition, the Play Station brought a great gaming market shift. By developing new distribution channels including record shops and convenience stores, it gained much popularity: expanded a gaming fan base and gained support from various game makers and titles.
It has contributed to the development of the Japanese gaming industry. As a next-generation high-performance video game console, which realized 3D graphics by applying texture mapping, it has expanded developers’ possibilities of expression as well as delivered a whole new experience to fans and was the best seller and the first console of any type to ship over 100 million units all over the world.
In addition, the Play Station has been a key driver of the gaming industry’s growth for 30 years until the current Play Station 5. The Award was given in the recognition of the contribution.
Objective of indroducing the METI Award
Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) understands computer entertainment software as a cultural form and is holding this event since 1996 to celebrate the 28th anniversary this year for the purposes to vitalize and contribute to development of the computer entertainment software industry.
The Japan Game Awards have been selecting and awarding excellent videogame software in three categories of "Game of the Year Division", "Future Division" and "Amateur Division".
While the awards were formerly given only to videogame software, the "METI Award" was introduced last year which is to be awarded both to videogame software and persons/group of persons which and who are supporting the videogame industry to make the system "more open and meaningful award system".
Selection Criteria for the METI Award
The prize is awarded to those who have contributed to the development of the videogame industry through creation of excellent products or expanded the scope of the videogame industry using a new expression, technology, etc.Persons and group of persons are eligible to receive the award.