New York Videogame Critics Circle Announces Nominees for 9th Annual New York Game Awards and Honors Industry Great Reggie Fils-Aimé with Legend Award

The New York Videogame Critics Circle will host the 9th Annual New York Game Awards, honoring the best in video gaming on January 21 at SVA Theatre in New York City. The Awards celebrate the best games and game developers in the industry along with the Circle’s non-profit work in underserved communities, all announced at an awards ceremony hosted by Emmy Award winning writers from “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.”

Highlights of the ceremony include the Andrew Yoon Legend Award, being presented to industry great Reggie Fils-Aimé, who helped change the gaming world with the Wii, Nintendo DS and Nintendo Switch. The Legend Award recognizes individuals and organizations that exhibit a significant, sustained body of work that shows exceptional achievement and innovation. Past recipients include Jade Raymond, Richard Garriott, Todd Howard, Rockstar Games and Ralph Baer. The fifth annual Best Games Journalism Award, voted on by the Circle’s 40 critics, will also be presented (nominees announced at a later date).

New York Game Awards Nominees

Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year

• Luigi's Mansion 3
• The Outer Worlds
• Outer Wilds
• A Plague Tale: Innocence
• Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
• Resident Evil 2
• Death Stranding
• Telling Lies
• Disco Elysium

Central Park Children’s Zoo Award for Best Kids Game

• Tetris 99
• Super Mario Maker 2
• Adventure Academy
• Luigi's Mansion 3
• Pokémon Sword, Pokémon Shield
• Concrete Genie
• The King's Bird

A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game

• Immortal Rogue
• The Elder Scrolls: Blades
• Sayonara Wild Hearts
• Grindstone
• Rayman Mini
• Sky: Children of the Light
• Pilgrims

Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR Game

• Nintendo Labo VR Kit
• Sea Hero Quest
• Minecraft Earth
• Stormland
• Trover Saves The Universe
• Asgard’s Wrath
• Five Nights at Freddy's VR: Help Wanted
• Blood & Truth

Off Broadway Award for Best Indie Game

• Ape Out
• Sunless Skies
• Heaven's Vault
• A Plague Tale: Innocence
• Telling Lies
• Sayonara Wild Hearts
• Disco Elysium
• Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
• Untitled Goose Game

Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game

• Far Cry New Dawn
• Tropico 6
• Sayonara Wild Hearts
• Borderlands 3
• Death Stranding
• Pokémon Sword, Pokémon Shield
• Hypnospace Outlaw

Statue of Liberty Award for Best World

• Kingdom Hearts III
• Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
• Devil May Cry 5
• Death Stranding
• The Outer Worlds
• Outer Wilds
• Hypnospace Outlaw

Herman Melville Award for Best Writing

• Erica
• Telling Lies
• The Outer Worlds
• Disco Elysium
• Hypnospace Outlaw
• Plague Tale: Innocence
• Death Stranding
• Life is Strange 2

Joltin' Joe Award: Best Esports Player of the Year

• VK Loon
• Doinb
• Sinatraa
• Bugha
• Arslan Ash
• MKLeo

Great White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game

• Faye Kingslee as Nico in Devil May Cry 5
• Norman Reedus as Sam in Death Stranding
• Margaret Qualley as Mama in

Death Stranding

• Courtney Hope as Jesse In Control
• Debra Wilson as Cere in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
• Tommie Earl Jenkins as Die-Hardman in Death Stranding
• Alexandra Shipp as Ava in Telling Lies
• Logan Marshall Green as David in Telling Lies

Freedom Tower Award for Best Remake

• Resident Evil 2
• ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove!
• Katamari Damacy Reroll
• Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey
• The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Captain Award for Best Esports Team

• Astralis (CSGO)
• San Francisco Shock (Overwatch)
• FPX (League of Legends)
• OG (Dota 2)
• TSM (Apex Legends)

Tickets are now on sale for the 9th Annual New York Game Awards here. Tickets include free game codes for all attendees and an after-party with an open bar where attendees can rub elbows with game developers and Critics Circle members. Every ticket sale contributes to the community, as all ticket sale proceeds that the New York Videogame Critics Circle earns from the New York Game Awards goes back into the non-profit organization to help with mentoring, scholarships and workshops in the New York City area. For those who cannot attend the New York Game Awards, the event will be livestreamed via Mixer and Twitch.

New York Videogame Critics Circle Programs Include:

• DreamYard Project at DreamYard Prep School in the Bronx: Offering mentoring, internships, workshops, job information and college scholarships for intelligent, but underserved students.
• Journalism classes at The Henry Street Settlement: The New York Videogame Critics Circle brings games education to community events as well.
• Mentoring at, and consulting for, Older Adult Technology Services (O.A.T.S.), at their Senior Planet tech center in Manhattan's Chelsea-area.
• The New York Public Library system and American Museum of Natural History panels: Talks and discussions about jobs in games, games history and how games bring people together.

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.