New York Game Awards Nominations and Honors

2019 brought some of the most memorable and remarkable video games the world has ever seen. The New York Videogame Critics Circle is hosting the 9th Annual New York Game Awards which will honor these incredible titles on January 21. It will take place at SVA Theatre in NYC. 

People, games, and organizations will be recognized for their amazing industry contributions. The ceremony is hosted by Emmy Award-winning writers from The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.

The famous, heartwarming, and massively successful Reggie Fils-Aime, will be receiving the Andrew Yoon Legend Award. Reggie’s appearance and the award is only one of the highlights from the event. The fifth annual Best Games Journalism Award, determined by the Circle’s 40 critics will be presented as well. The nominees for the Best Games Journalism Award will be announced at a later date. Below nominations include only the New York Game Awards nominations.

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 on sale now and the proceeds go to a great cause. Every sale contributes to the New York Videogame Critics Circle non-profit organization. New York Videogame Critics Circle Programs Include:

• DreamYard Project at DreamYard Prep School in the Bronx: Mentoring, internships, workshops, job information, and college scholarship opportunities for underserved students.
• Journalism classes at The Henry Street Settlement
• Mentoring at, and consulting for, Older Adult Technology Services at their Senior Planet tech center
• The New York Public Library system and American Museum of Natural History panels: Talks and discussions about jobs in the gaming industry, video game history, and how gaming brings people and communities together. 

Besides all the great non-profit activities the tickets help fund, they also include a bunch of perks for anyone that attends. Tickets include free game codes and an invite to an after-party with an open bar. This after-party will be a chance for fans to meet and speak with game developers and Critics Circle members that are involved with some of the greatest hits and most influential gaming events. 

Tickets can be purchased here. People that aren’t able to attend will be able to watch all the action on Mixer and Twitch.