The End of an Era: Sakurai Concludes the Game Designers Award at the Japan Game Awards 2026

On September 14, 2026, the Japan Game Awards witnessed a bittersweet moment as Masahiro Sakurai, the legendary creator behind Kirby and Super Smash Bros., announced the discontinuation of the prestigious Game Designers Award. Founded by Sakurai in 2010, the award celebrated innovation and creativity in game design, a beacon for those pushing the boundaries of interactive media.

The announcement came during the Game of the Year Division of the awards ceremony. Sakurai, speaking through live translators, expressed his inability to find a suitable successor to continue the award's legacy. "It's been 16 years since we started [this award]. This is the last year that we're doing it," Sakurai stated, emphasizing the critical role of a director with innovative contributions to carry the torch. Despite his efforts over the past couple of years, a successor did not emerge, leading to the award's conclusion.

This year's Game Designers Award was bestowed upon 'Word Game', a text-based puzzle game developed by the independent studio Team9. Originally crafted in Traditional Chinese characters, the game was ingeniously localized for Japanese audiences, a feat that impressed the judging committee, which included industry veterans like Hideki Kamiya and Yoko Taro. According to CESA's official website, 'Word Game' won by an "overwhelming majority of votes even in the second round of judging."

Fans of the award expressed their sadness over its discontinuation, yet some hold hope that Sakurai's newfound time could lead to exciting new projects. Rumors swirl about potential involvement in another Super Smash Bros. game, though nothing is confirmed. Sakurai urged the gaming community to continue their interest in creative games, warning of the industry's potential stagnation without innovation.

As we bid farewell to the Game Designers Award, its legacy of celebrating groundbreaking game design remains a testament to the importance of creativity in the gaming industry. The absence of this award leaves a void, but also an opportunity for new forms of recognition to emerge, keeping the spirit of creativity alive.

[Original Source](https://www.ign.com/articles/masahiro-sakurai-forced-to-abandon-game-designers-award-after-16-years-as-he-cant-find-a-successor)