Programming Education Japan Game Awards 2020 “U18 Division” Finals: Online Judging Session Today was the online judging session for the finals of the Japan Game Awards 2020 “U18 Division.” I was there with Level-5 President Hino and Famitsu.com Editor-in-Chief Mitsugawa.
The winners were selected following presentations and Q&A sessions conducted online with children from across the country.
Gold Prize: “The Great Adventure of Rabby and Nabby”; Silver Prize: “void”; Bronze Prizes: “The Tears and End of the Mechanical Girl” and “ROLL THE DICE”—congratulations!
The standard of all the entries was so high that the results were very close, leading to quite a bit of discussion during the judging panel meeting.
This year, five of the six groups that advanced to the finals were made up of high school seniors. Ms. Ueda—the only middle school student among them (who was in sixth grade at the time of her application)—had this to say:
"When I started making this game, schools were closed due to the pandemic. I was suddenly separated from my friends, and things at school were in chaos. But from the day I set my sights on winning the Game Awards, I felt more at peace and had a goal to work toward. While I was making the game, I could dream only of the future."
It was a moment that brought tears to the eyes of all the judges.
One thing all the applicants say over and over again is, “I make these because I love them.”
When you pursue what you love to the fullest, you discover a way to express yourself, grow as a person, and even bring smiles to others' faces and entertain them. Isn't that wonderful?
I felt that the Japan Game Awards had become a place where children from all over the country who share the same goals could inspire one another and push each other to improve.
The studio was great, too! Just what you'd expect from a game show.
Even though it was online, my heart was pounding as I announced the awards with all the kids' faces lined up below me (*^^*)
Once again, congratulations to all the award winners!
We look forward to receiving many applications again next year.
Professor, Keio University; Ph.D. (Policy and Media)
Director, B Lab
Chairperson, Learning of Tomorrow (General Incorporated Association)
Chairperson, CANVAS
After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, he served as a visiting researcher at the MIT Media Lab before founding the NPO CANVAS and the Learning of Tomorrow Association, a General Incorporated Association, and assuming the role of representative. He serves as an outside director for Matsuya Co., Ltd., Fuji Media Holdings, Inc., and Digital Garage, Inc.
He has served on various government committees, including the Information and Communications Council of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as well as the NHK Central Broadcasting Program Council. He also serves as a director of the Digital Signage Consortium, among other roles. He holds a Ph.D. in Policy and Media.
His publications include *Turning On Children’s Creativity!*, *What Are Smart Kids Doing on Their Smartphones?*, *The Forefront of Online Education in Japan: Considering Learning in the Post-COVID Era*,“What Is Programming Education? 45 Questions Parents Want to Know,” and “Declaration on Digital Education.” He has also provided supervision for numerous works, including “Ah, I See! Programming Education for Parents and Children Through Manga.”
