Celebrating its 10th year, the annual New York Game Awards, presented by the New York Videogame Critics Circle, takes this year’s Awards show globally 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 soon). The previously ticketed and in-person-only event streams free for all via Twitch and YouTube on January 26 at 8pm ET (pre-show starts at 7:30pm). The Awards celebrate the NYVGCC’s non-profit work in underserved communities, as well as the best games and game developers in the industry.
From Best AR/VR Game and Best Music in a Game, to Best Mobile Game and Best Kids Game, the New York Game Awards all level up to the Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year, announced at the awards ceremony hosted by award-winning journalist/author and founder of the New York Videogame Critics Circle, Harold Goldberg, with Reggie Fils-Aimé, former President and COO of Nintendo of America, who was the recipient of the 2020 Andrew Yoon Legend Award at last year’s 9th annual New York Game Awards ceremony. And, with esports events booming, a new category in this year’s Awards is the Shea Stadium Award for Best Esports Event.
“We’ve had a blast preparing for the virtual New York Game Awards event,” said New York Videogame Critics Circle founder and board president, Harold Goldberg. “Sometimes when you flip an event on its head you come up with an even better way to celebrate.”
“It’s an exciting time to see the New York Game Awards pivot to a virtual-only event, making the 10th annual event such a global celebration of the organization’s good work,” said Reggie Fils-Aimé. “I’ve been honored to participate in a number of the New York Videogame Critics Circle’s activities this year, from mentoring students to making the organization’s podcasts a must-listen; co-hosting this year’s event is another high-point for me.”
New York Game Awards Nominees
Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons
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The Last of Us Part II
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Final Fantasy VII: Remake
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DOOM Eternal
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Yakuza: Like A Dragon
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Hades
Central Park Children’s Zoo Award for Best Kids Game
- Dreams
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Moving Out
- Good Job!
- Drake Hollow
- Sackboy: A Big Adventure
- Astro’s Playroom
A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game
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Roundguard
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Necrobarista
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Creaks
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Little Orpheus
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Good Sudoku
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Genshin Impact
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Wide Ocean Big Jacket
Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR Game
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Half–Life: Alyx
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Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
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Dreams
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Paper Beast
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Star Wars Squadrons
Off Broadway Award for Best Indie Game
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Ori and the Will of the Wisps
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The Longing: Patience
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Hades
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Fall Guys
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Spiritfarer
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Umurangi Generation
Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons
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Final Fantasy VII: Remake
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The Last of Us Part II
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Teenage Blob
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Hades
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Spider-Man: Miles Morales
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Fuser
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Ghost of Tsushima
Statue of Liberty Award for Best World
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Ghost of Tsushima
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Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
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Final Fantasy VII: Remake
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Microsoft Flight Simulator
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Hades
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Umarangi Generation
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Demon’s Souls
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Cyberpunk 2077 (for PC)
Herman Melville Award for Best Writing
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The Last of Us Part II
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If Found
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Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
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Hades
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Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Cyberpunk 2077 (for PC)
- Treachery in Beatdown City
Great White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game
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Laura Bailey as Abby in The Last of Us Part II
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Ashley Johnson as Ellie in The Last of Us Part II
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Briana White as Aerith in Final Fantasy VII: Remake
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August Aiden as Tyler Ronan in Tell Me Why
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Logan Cunningham as Lord Hades / Poseidon / Achilles / Charon / The Storyteller / Asterius in Hades
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Nadji Jeter as Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Miles Morales
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Keanu Reeves as Johnny Silverhand in Cyberpunk 2077
Freedom Tower Award for Best Remake
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Final Fantasy VII: Remake
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Resident Evil 3
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Mr. Driller: DrillLand
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Black Mesa
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Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2
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Demon’s Souls
Captain Award for Best Esports Team
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DAMWOM Gaming
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San Francisco Shock
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Red Bull OG
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Dallas Empire
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TSM
Shea Stadium Award for Best Esports Event
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Street Fighter League
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Overwatch League
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League of Legends Worlds
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IEM Katowice
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Mortal Kombat 11 Final Kombat
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 at 8pm ET. Past recipients include Reggie Fils-Aimé, Jade Raymond, Richard Garriott, Todd Howard, Rockstar Games and Ralph Baer. The Legend Award recognizes individuals and organizations that exhibit a significant, sustained body of work that shows exceptional achievement and innovation.
The New York Game Awards relies on its sponsoring donors to bring the show to life, with a special thanks to platinum donor, Genvid Technologies, the leader in interactive livestreaming. Their generous support helps the New York Videogame Critics Circle continue to grow game industry mentorship programs. Check out Genvid Technology’s latest project, Rival Peak, here.
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.
