Sakurai's Game Designers Award Concludes After 16 Years

The Game Designers Award, established by Masahiro Sakurai in 2010, will not be presented at future Japan Game Awards ceremonies. Sakurai announced on September 14, 2026, that after 16 years, the award is concluding due to his inability to find a successor. This accolade specifically honored games demonstrating significant creativity, originality, and the introduction of new gameplay concepts.

The award aimed to recognize titles that appealed broadly, even to non-gamers, and made a memorable impact. This year's recipient was the puzzle game 'Word Game' by independent studio Team9, lauded for its innovative approach and successful localization. Sakurai emphasized that recognizing innovation is crucial for the industry's longevity, even when it doesn't guarantee profitability.

Sakurai expressed his hope that interest in creative games will persist among players despite the award's discontinuation. He spent several years searching for a suitable replacement, wanting the award to be helmed by an innovative game director. The absence of a successor led to the difficult decision to end the award program.