The New York Videogame Critics Circle will honor Jerry Lawson, often referred to as the “father of modern gaming,” in its first of multiple Andrew Yoon Legend Award winner streams in advance of the 10th annual New York Game Awards ceremony later this month. Lawson will be honored with the Legend Award tomorrow via Twitch and YouTube starting at 8pm ET. The Legend Award recognizes individuals and organizations that exhibit a significant, sustained body of work that shows exceptional achievement and innovation.
“Without the brilliance of Mr. Lawson and his cartridge innovations, we would not have had any of the great consoles we’ve had during these 60 years of storied game history,” said Reggie Fils-Aimé, last year’s Legend Award winner. “Not the Atari consoles, not the Sega consoles, not even the Nintendo Switch, which still uses a cartridge-inspired card.”
For the 10th anniversary of the Awards, not just one, but four industry greats will be honored with the Andrew Yoon Legend Award. These Awards will be streamed over three nights (Jan. 7, Jan. 14 and Jan. 21) via Twitch and YouTube. Past recipients include Reggie Fils-Aimé, Jade Raymond, Richard Garriott, Todd Howard, Rockstar Games and Ralph Baer.
Streaming of the Andrew Yoon Legend Award recipients lead up to the New York Game Awards 10th anniversary show on January 26; the previously ticketed and in-person-only event streams free for all to attend via Twitch and YouTube, with pre-show at 7:30pm ET and Awards starting at 8pm ET via Twitch and YouTube. The annual New York Game Awards, presented by the New York Videogame Critics Circle, goes global with a virtual-only event, allowing for a group of presenters and performers that’s incomparable, including former Legend Award winners, performances by new and returning musical guests and a collection of industry greats to be announced shortly. The Awards celebrate the NYVGCC’s non-profit work in underserved communities, as well as the best games and game developers in the industry.
NYVGCC members are a culturally diverse and passionate group of videogame journalists from media outlets including Tom’s Guide, CNET, Time and The Washington Post; view a full list of members here. For more information on getting involved through volunteering or fundraising with the NYVGCC, click here. Click here for more information on the New York Videogame Critics Circle or contact founder Harold Goldberg at mediacur@gmail.com. To donate, click here.
New York Videogame Critics Circle Programs Include:
- DreamYard Project at DreamYard Prep School in the Bronx, NY, offering mentoring, paid internships and college scholarships for underserved students.
- Mentoring, full courses and paid internships of students at the Bronxworks network of homeless shelters.
- Lower East Side mentoring and internships through a partnership with the Henry Street Settlement and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
- Community events at The Abrons Arts Center.
- Older adults mentoring at O.A.T.S., Older Adult Technology Services, at their Senior Planet tech center in Manhattan’s Chelsea area.
- New York Public Library system panels, talks and discussions about jobs in games and how games bring people together.
About the New York Videogame Critics Circle
Based in Manhattan, the New York Videogame Critics Circle is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit multicultural organization comprised of 40 of the finest videogame critics, writers, reporters and bloggers and in the nation. Members of the NYVGCC give back to their communities by providing scholarships, mentoring and community outreach to NYC schools students. The New York Videogame Critics Circle sees great benefit in advocating for those who are less fortunate.
