SEGA Crowned Metacritic’s Publisher of the Year 2024
In 2024, SEGA delivered an impressive lineup of games, solidifying its position as a powerhouse in the gaming industry. The year began with the highly acclaimed releases of Persona 3 Reload and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the latter of which expanded the Yakuza franchise by taking its beloved characters to new international settings. Over the summer, SEGA continued its winning streak with the multiplatform release of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengence, which had previously been exclusive to the Nintendo Switch. However, the crown jewel of Sega’s year was Metaphor: ReFantazio, a brand-new IP from Atlus that garnered widespread praise and multiple awards for its innovative story and gameplay. These successes not only showcased Sega’s ability to reinvent its franchises but also its commitment to delivering fresh, high-quality experiences. Not surprising, SEGA has announced they will be focusing more on these two properties.
SEGA’s stellar year culminated in it being named Metacritic’s Publisher of the Year, a title it has now won multiple times in the past. Metacritic calculates this award by averaging each publisher’s game scores and factoring in the ratio of positive to negative reviews. With a total of 325.5 points, SEGA surged from 9th place in 2023 to claim the top spot in 2024. This victory marks another milestone in Sega’s history, as it previously won the award in 2020, thanks to hits like Persona 5 Royal and Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Capcom, the 2023 winner, came close to repeating its success with 323 points, while Microsoft also made significant strides, climbing to 9th place with 301 points. Sega’s 2024 triumph underscores its consistent ability to produce critically acclaimed games and reaffirms its legacy as one of the industry’s most respected publishers.