The Japanese Computer Entertainment Suppliers Association held the award ceremony for its ninth annual CESA Game Awads in Tokyo today. Games released in Japan between January 1st 2004 and March 31st 2005 could enter the competition for the various rewards.

The big winner was Square Enix's Level 5-developed RPG Dragon Quest VIII: Sora to Umi to Daichi to Norowareshi Himegimi (Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King). The best-selling PlayStation 2 title in Japan to date won the awards for Game of the Year and best belling title of the year. Dragon Quest series mastermind Yuuji Horii said during the two decades that have passed since the release of Dragon Quest, he sometimes wondered how long the series will continue. Looking ahead he however assured fans, saying he would like to continue making new games as long as possible. Level 5 president Akihiko Hino was more emotional. Fighting with tears, Hino reminded the audience that it was Dragon Quest that made him enter the game industry in the first place. He continuned, saying it was wonderful to work together with Horii, but also acknowledged Dragon Quest VIII was the most difficult project he has worked on so far.

Hino had more reason to be happy, as his current project Rogue Galaxy was also awarded a Game Awards Future award along with three other high profile RPGs from Square Enix and Namco.

Game of the Year Award
Dragon Quest VIII: Sora to Umi to Daichi to Norowareshi Himegimi, Square Enix, PlayStation 2

Award of Excellence
3-Nen B-Gumi Kinpachi Sensei: Densetsu no Kyoudan ni tate, Chunsoft, PlayStation 2
Haruka naru Toki no Naka de 3, Koei, PlayStation 2
Pokemon Emerald, Nintendo, GameBoy Advance

Award for the Best Selling Title
Dragon Quest VIII: Sora to Umi to Daichi to Norowareshi Himegimi, Square Enix, PlayStation 2

Game Awards Future
Kingdom Hearts II, Square Enix, PlayStation 2
Tales of the Abyss, Namco, PlayStation 2
Final Fantasy XII, Square Enix, PlayStation 2
Rogue Galaxy, Sony Computer Entertainment, PlayStation 2

• Famitsu