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Animal Crossing: New Horizons wins game of the year in Japan Game Awards 2020

(PHOTO: Screenshot)
(PHOTO: Screenshot)

Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a life simulation game developed for the Nintendo Switch, was given the Grand Award in Japan Game Awards 2020 on 27 September.

New Horizons was also one of the ten games that received the Award for Excellence. In addition, it has won the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, which is said to be “given to individuals who have contributed to the development of the computer game industry”.

Set in a deserted island, New Horizons presents its players with a getaway package, letting them explore the island, catch insects and fishes, and collect and craft items. Its highly customisable feature allows the players to develop the island as they please.

With the stay-home period enforced due to the coronavirus, New Horizons became a platform for people to exercise their freedom and creativity on, a medium for people to communicate and interact through. Its “slow life” game experience keeps people occupied during the lockdown and takes their minds off incessant troubles and worries.

Furthermore, New Horizons is said to have “led many users to resume playing a game on console after such a long time or even made many buy a console for the first time.” In a public vote, the game is voted unanimously as the winner, receiving overwhelming support from children to seniors.

Nine other games were given the Award for Excellence, which include tactical role-playing game (RPG) Fire Emblem: Three Houses, action RPG Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, RPG Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield, and exergame Ring Fit Adventure. Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield has also won the Best Sales Award and Global Award (Japanese Product).

Below is the full list of winners. The prizes were awarded to games released from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020.

Grand Award

Animal Crossing: New Horizons (played on Nintendo Switch, by Nintendo)

Game Designers Award

Baba Is You (played on Nintendo Switch / PC, by Hempuli)

Award for Excellence

Animal Crossing: New Horizons (played on Nintendo Switch, by Nintendo)

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (played on PS4, by Atlus)

Death Stranding (played on PS4 / PC, by Sony)

Nioh 2 (played on PS4, by Koei Tecmo)

Fire Emblem: Three Houses (played on Nintendo Switch, by Nintendo)

Persona 5 Royal (played on PS4, by Atlus)

Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield (played on Nintendo Switch, by The Pokemon Company)

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne (played on PS4 / Xbox One / PC, by Capcom)

Yakuza: Like A Dragon (played on PS4, by Sega)

Ring Fit Adventure (played on Nintendo Switch, by Nintendo)

Special Award

Dragon Quest Walk (played on iOS / Android OS, by Square Enix)

Best Sales Award

Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield (played on Nintendo Switch, by The Pokemon Company)

Global Award (Japanese Product)

Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield (played on Nintendo Switch, by The Pokemon Company)

Global Award (Foreign Product)

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare (played on PS4 / Xbox One / PC, by Activision)