At this year’s Japan Game Awards, held on September 14, the celebrated Game Designers Award will not return for future ceremonies — a decision made by its founder, Masahiro Sakurai, who has been unable to find a suitable successor to carry the honor forward. The accolade, which recognizes titles for their creativity and originality rather than commercial success, was awarded this year to Word Game from independent studio Team9 before quietly retiring after 16 years of existence.
Sakurai, creator of Nintendo’s beloved Kirby series and the Super Smash Bros. franchise, established the award in 2010 with a clear vision: to spotlight games that push boundaries rather than simply chase sales. According to CESA’s official website, eligibility requires entries to incorporate “new ideas that are a clear departure from existing works” while simultaneously “expand[ing] the form of game software by presenting new ways for the user to enjoy and play with the game.” The prize ultimately goes to “the title that reached out to a wide range of people, including those who don’t usually play games actively,” making it one of the industry’s most distinctive honors.
A Quiet Triumph for Word Game
This year’s recipient was Word Game, a text-based puzzle from Team9 that impressed an eleven-member judging panel packed with industry veterans such as Hideki Kamiya, Yoko Taro, and Toby Fox. The game is built around Traditional Chinese characters and was originally created in that language before being localized for Japanese players — a detail the committee found remarkable enough to seal its victory.
“This work won by an overwhelming majority of votes even in the second round of judging, where the selection was narrowed down to specific titles,” CESA’s website states. “Even more astonishingly, while the game seems like it could only work in Japanese, it is actually a localized version of a Traditional Chinese title. I am sure it took advanced skills and clever solutions to complete the transmission. I believe this unique and inimitable game is a fitting choice for the final Game Designers Award.”
The award’s lineage carries weight: past recipients include Sad Owl Studios’ Viewfinder, Odd Meter’s Indika, and RPG Time: The Legend of Wright — each a title that expanded play in unexpected directions. Fans have taken the news with mixed emotions, though many read it as a sign that Sakurai is stepping back to focus on new creative ventures amid growing rumors of an upcoming Super Smash Bros. game.
“It’s been 16 years since we started [this award],” he said, as per a live translator. “This is the last year that we’re doing it, and the reason is because there’s nobody who’s going to replace me. That is the only reason. In order to keep this award something that is really convincing and fulfills the role, it needs to be given by somebody who’s a director, who’s come up with innovative games that have changed gameplay a lot. I scouted and tried to find someone to replace me. I did some presentations to try to find somebody, too. I searched for a couple years, but nobody stepped up to replace me.”
Masahiro Sakurai
The veteran director’s remarks extended well beyond the ceremony itself, offering a candid reflection on the pressures facing modern game development. “Game development is always an experiment, but you keep going at it. It’s always a very difficult process,” he noted. He acknowledged that while the Grand Award tends to draw more attention, the Game Designers Award highlights a different facet of the medium — one where innovation does not always translate into profitability.
“Unfortunately, innovativeness doesn’t always link to profitability. There’s not many people who will always drink the newest version of an interesting drink. You usually go with things you’re used to. It’s always hard for this kind of innovativeness and creativity to be recognized, but if the industry loses creativity and innovation, I think the industry as a whole will slowly die. We always need new discoveries and innovations to keep the industry fresh and alive.”
A second translator added that Sakurai hopes players will “keep being interested in creative games even after the award is gone,” signaling his desire for the spirit of the prize to endure regardless of its institutional home.
Looking Ahead
While the Game Designers Award’s departure marks a genuine loss for those who championed experimental design, Sakurai framed it as an act of integrity rather than retirement. By refusing to hand the mantle to someone he felt was unqualified, he preserved the award’s credibility over its longevity — a rare stance from one of gaming’s most influential figures.
The timing also coincides with renewed speculation around a new Super Smash Bros. title, suggesting Sakurai may be redirecting his energy toward fresh creative projects. For now, Word Game stands as the final champion of an award that spent 16 years rewarding games for daring to change how people play — a fitting legacy for a prize built on the belief that creativity is what ultimately keeps the industry alive.
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