The Outer Worlds Wins Game of the Year at 9th Annual New York Videogame Awards

Hosted last night by Emmy Award winning writers from The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, the New York Videogame Critics Circle celebrated the best in gaming at the 9th annual New York Videogame Awards at SVA Theatre in NYC. The organization bestowed its highest honor, the Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year, to The Outer Worlds. Games that won two awards each include Disco Elysium (receiving the Off Broadway Award for Best Indie Game and the Herman Melville Award for Best Writing), as well as Sayonara Wild Hearts (winning the A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game and the Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game). Additionally, FPX (League of Legends) was awarded the Captain Award for Best Rookie Esports Team alongside a new award category for 2020, Joltin' Joe Award for Best Esports Player of the Year won by Arslan Ash.

Full List of Winners: 2020 New York Videogame Awards


Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year: The Outer Worlds


Andrew Yoon Legend Award: Reggie Fils-Aimé


Statue of Liberty Award for Best World: Outer Wilds
Herman Melville Award for Best Writing: Disco Elysium


Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR Game: Minecraft Earth


Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game: Sayonara Wild Hearts


Central Park Children’s Zoo Award for Best Kids Game: Luigi's Mansion 3


A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game: Sayonara Wild Hearts


Off Broadway Award for Best Indie Game: Disco Elysium


Freedom Tower Award for Best Remake: Resident Evil 2


Great White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game: Courtney Hope as Jesse in Control


Captain Award for Best Rookie Esports Team: FPX (League of Legends)


Joltin’ Joe Award: Best Esports Player of the Year: Arslan Ash


Knickerbocker Award for Best Games Journalism: Khee Hoon Chan for their story in Rock Paper Shotgun: China Forced One Horror Game Publisher to Close, But the Whole Region Felt It.



Highlights of the ceremony included the presentation of the Andrew Yoon Legend Award to industry great Reggie Fils-Aimé, who playfully took a selfie with the audience last night. He 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.

When asked about the New York Game Awards in its 9th year, Critics Circle president and founder Harold Goldberg said, “what a great night celebrating the best in video gaming with industry greats that I admire for their commitment to the gaming industry. With a full house and hundreds of thousands of gaming fans watching our livestream, 2020 was our biggest awards show yet, but stay tuned later this year when we announce the 10th Annual New York Videogame Awards for 2021!”

Click here to watch the New York Videogame Awards, and here for more information on the New York Videogame Critics Circle. Follow the New York Videogame Critics Circle on Facebook and Twitter.

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. What the New York Videogame Critics Circle earns from ticket sales goes directly back into the non-profit organization to help with mentoring, scholarships and workshops in New York City.