The organization bestowed its highest honor, the Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year, to the action RPG, Hades from Supergiant Games. Winning over the critics, Hades took home multiple awards, including the Herman Melville Award for Best Writing in a Game, the Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game and the Off Broadway Award for Best Indie Game. And, it’s not just music, writing and game play that stole the hearts of the video game critics, as the acting in the game was honored with the Great White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game for Logan Cunningham’s role as Lord Hades, Poseidon, Achilles, Charon, The Storyteller and Asterius in Hades. The New York Game Awards can still be viewed via Twitch and YouTube.

“All of the nominated games were extraordinary, but Hades touched our critics in many ways, and we all kept coming back for more,” said New York Videogame Critics Circle president and founder Harold Goldberg. “From the superb acting, to the compelling writing, to the wondrous artwork, to the stirring music, to the balanced gameplay, Hades very much deserves to be the 10th Annual New York Game Awards’ Game of the Year.”

“We are very grateful to the New York Videogame Critics Circle judges for honoring Hades in a variety of categories during tonight's awards,” said Amir Rao, Supergiant Games’ studio director. “Our team is all the more thankful to be able to safely work during such a challenging time. We also want to thank our players who helped make Hades what it's become, and who will ensure we can keep making games together for a long time.”

Full List of Winners: 2021 New York Game Awards

Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year:

Hades

Statue of Liberty Award for Best World:

Ghost of Tsushima

Herman Melville Award for Best Writing in a Game:

Hades

Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR Game:

Half-Life: Alyx

Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game:

Hades

Central Park Children’s Zoo Award for Best Kids Game:

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game:

Genshin Impact

Off Broadway Award for Best Indie Game:

Hades

Freedom Tower Award for Best Remake:

Final Fantasy VII: Remake

Great White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game:

Logan Cunningham as Lord Hades / Poseidon / Achilles / Charon / The Storyteller / Asterius in Hades

Shea Stadium Award for Best Esports Event:

Overwatch League

Captain Award for Best Esports Team:

Red Bull OG: CS:GO

Knickerbocker Award for Best Games Journalism:

Jason Schreier for his story in Kotaku: As Naughty Dog Crunches on The Last of Us, Developers Wonder How Long This Can Last.

Although announced earlier this month, a New York Game Awards highlight that can’t be overlooked is the Andrew Yoon Legend Award, recognizing individuals and organizations that exhibit a significant, sustained body of work that shows exceptional achievement and innovation. Reggie Fils-Aimé and Harold Goldberg honored Jerry Lawson, Brenda Romero, John Romero and Hideo Kojima with the Award; interviews can be viewed on Twitch and YouTube.

The New York Game Awards relies on its sponsoring donors to bring the show to life, with special thanks to platinum sponsors, Genvid Technologies and Wizards of the Coast. Their generous support helps the New York Videogame Critics Circle continue to grow game industry mentorship programs for underserved youth. Genvid Technologies is the leader in interactive livestreaming technology and services. Wizards of the Coast brings together world-class creators in game design, worldbuilding, fantasy art, and interactive events to create unforgettable moments.

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 Amber Stafford at amber@brandboltmarketing.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.