Last year, Sonic Frontiers received the Future Division Award at the Japan Game Awards ceremony, which was given to games that the public anticipated the most and was selected via an online vote by users. Sonic Frontiers was then released in November of that year, making it eligible for this year’s award as well.
The Japan Game Awards 2023, organized by the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA), is an event held to revitalize the industry and contribute to its growth. Every year, the event encourages the public to vote and recognize outstanding products that have made a lasting impression in hopes of expanding and advancing the culture of computer entertainment.
All nominated games were released on the Japanese market between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023. Additionally, all games were included in the general voting and were selected by the Japan Game Awards selection committee based on various criteria, including design, programming, graphics, sound, scenario, and user evaluation.
Sonic Frontiers was awarded the Excellence Award along with 10 other games. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet won the Best Sales award, RPG Time: The Legend of Wright won the Game Designers Award, and Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak won the Grand Award. Here is the full list of Excellence awardees:
- Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak
- Xenoblade 3
- EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 6
- Splatoon 3
- Sonic Frontiers
- God of War: Ragnarök
- Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
- CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION
- Hogwarts Legacy
- PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo
- BIOHAZARD RE:4
Sonic Frontiers’ director, Morio Kishimoto, also stepped on stage to accept the award and deliver a speech. Check it out below!
Morio Kishimoto: We just finished the last DLC update this morning, so thank you for voting for Sonic Frontiers and selecting us for this honorable award. As the developers of Sonic Frontiers, I believe that our message has been conveyed to you, which has led to this award.
Sonic, in Sonic Frontiers, overcomes any kind of difficulties, and no enemy can stop him. No one can stop Sonic! Sonic never stops! Sonic keeps running, and with this award and the next awards, we will continue to listen to the voices of all our players to keep evolving, and we will keep running! Thank you very much for this award!
My name is Morio Kishimoto, the director.
Presenter: At the venue and online, we hear a loud applause, and we believe that you are really proud of the game and Sonic! Could you send a message to SEGA and Sonic fans?
Kishimoto: For Sonic Frontiers, the vision of our team for this game is to create the third generation of Sonic, and I believe this award is our first step. I’m very, very grateful for that. The third generation of Sonic shall be completed to that end. We are going to cover all the grounds to do so. We would like to have your continued support, so please, keep running, like Sonic, who never stops!
Congratulations once again to Kishimoto-san, SEGA, and Sonic Team!
Stay tuned to Sonic City for more Sonic Frontiers News and Updates!
