Sony Interactive Entertainment has confirmed that the PlayStation Partner Awards 2026 Japan/Asia event will take place on 3 December. This year’s awards will recognise games released between October 2025 and September 2026, and the programme will include three new categories.
The new awards are the Ongoing Game Award, the Independent Creators’ Award and the PS5 Pro Integration Award. Together, they show that Sony wants to recognise more than just launch sales. The company is also giving attention to games that keep players active, independent studios and titles that make strong use of PS5 Pro hardware.
Three new award categories
The Ongoing Game Award will recognise games that continue to attract players through updates, events and new content after launch. This is important for live-service games, where a strong launch is only the start of a longer relationship with players.
The Independent Creators’ Award will focus on games made by creators in Japan and Asia. Nine indie games have been shortlisted for the public vote, and two winners will be selected. This gives smaller teams a chance to receive attention alongside large publishers.
The PS5 Pro Integration Award will recognise games that make strong use of the console’s extra performance. This could include better graphics, higher frame rates or other improvements that take advantage of the upgraded hardware.
Voting is open now
Sony has opened voting for the Players’ Choice Award and the Independent Creators’ Award. The Players’ Choice list includes 30 games with the highest total play time in Japan and Asia during the eligible period. Five titles will be selected through player votes.
For the Independent Creators’ Award, players can choose from nine shortlisted indie games. Two winners will be selected. Voting runs until 6 November 2026 at 11:59 PM Japan time, and a PlayStation account is needed to take part.
The full list of winners will be announced on 3 December. Sony says the awards ceremony will not be livestreamed.
Why this matters to creators
Indie developers often work with smaller budgets and teams than major game publishers. A public award can help a game reach new players, gain press coverage and build a stronger community. Recognition can also help developers when they look for publishing partners or funding for their next project.
The Ongoing Game Award is also worth watching because it highlights long-term support. Players often stay with a game when developers keep adding useful updates and events. A formal award for that work can encourage studios to keep improving games after launch.
For content creators, the awards create a new moment to discover regional indie games, make reviews and share recommendations with audiences. The public vote also gives players a reason to explore titles they may not have tried before.
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Passionategeekz Take
The new Independent Creators’ Award is a welcome addition because it gives regional indie studios a bigger stage. The ongoing-game and PS5 Pro categories also reflect how gaming has changed: a title can grow long after launch, and hardware features can shape the player experience. The public vote closes on 6 November, so interested players should check the official awards page soon.