Last weekend was the 2nd NYC Video Game Festival, and we had a great time showcasing a glimpse of Playing with Purpose!

Circle Mentor Ronald dreads the completion of #Pragmata. It's too good to let go of!

Read all about Tina's thoughts on Titanium Court, an addictively simple match-three game!

Catch Isaac's review of #Pokopia, a simple game that brought him tons of joy!

Don't miss the latest Roundup! Shoutout to @haroldgoldberg.bsky.social, Reggie, @ashleybardhan.bsky.social, @stephentotilo.bsky.social, and all of our amazing interns for their work!

It's time for the newest Roundup, featuring news of #Fallout, #TheSkinny, #TheExit8, #NYCVideoGameFestival, #Retrocade, and so much more!

Today is a sad day as Harold says goodbye to Laszlo The Wondercat, a great cat and the adorable face of the Critics Circle.

Ronald had an eye-opening experience watching the #Exit8 movie and urges others to seek it out come April 10th!

Our Intern Mary-Ellis got to experience a blast from the past thanks to Resolution Games's new Retrocade!

ILP#440 | @haroldgoldberg.bsky.social @nyvgcc.bsky.social "The Skinny" Novel discussion | PS5 Price Increases ft @vicious696.bsky.social | Xbox Partner Preview | Sony Metacritic Ranks #ILP👑http://youtube.com/live/hsZDk2Al4Pw

Thanks to Ranger's Path: National Park Simulator, Karoline caught a glimpse into the trials and tribulations of a park ranger!

Friends, today is Publication Day for The Skinny, my first novel! I'm thrilled that this little NYC noir mystery story is out in the world. I really think you'll like it. So do read it, and/or share this post and help spread the word! www.amazon.com/Skinny-Stan-...

Check out the newest Roundup! It features news on #NVIDIA, #ResidentEvilRequiem, #RomeoisADeadman, #Ihatethisplace, and so much more!

As the latest installment in a long running franchise, #ResidentEvilRequiem shook Saniah with its chilling horror and its riveting action!

Although #GDC2026 is happening, Harold is still thinking about his time at #DICE2026!

As a lover of women in horror media, Jade adored @feardemic.bsky.social's I Hate This Place for its excellent embodiment of a final girl!

In an outlandish twist on classic literature, #Romeoisadeadman stunned Khloe with its strange beauty!

Last, but certainly not least, @blippo.plus won this year's Herman Melville Award for Best Writing!

Our intern Tina had a blast with @strangescaffold.bsky.social 's new #SpaceWarlordBabyTradingSimulator

While some may not have heard of it, News Tower took home this year's Chumley's Speakeasy Award for Best Hidden Gem! youtu.be/XF5gY-Zkqw4

After sending players through various realms within Greek Mythology, @supergiantgames.bsky.social's #hades2 won this year's Statue of Liberty Award for Best World!

Here's the first Roundup of 2026! It features #Hades2, #GhostofYotei, #hollowkinghtsilksong, & more!

Epic souls-like #LiesofP took the world by storm with its DLC #LiesofPOverture, securing a win for this year's NYC GWB Award for Best DLC!

This year’s Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game went to @compulsiongames.bsky.social #SouthofMidnight !

As one of his most anticipated games, #metroidprime4 held @nazoharmonia.bsky.social's attention even as we moved into 2026!

We debuted our new Excelsior Award for Best New York Game by celebrating #ballxpit, who's developer @kennysun.com delivered a very quick speech!

The @nyvgcc.bsky.social @mrryanoc.bsky.social @haroldgoldberg.bsky.social has arrived @official-aias.bsky.social 🔥🔥🔥

Despite being judged by some of the harshest critics, #DonkeyKongBananza won this year's Central Park Kids Zoo Award for Best Kids Game!

Catch @mrryanoc.bsky.social and @rrg-3.bsky.social on stage at the 15th #NewYorkGameAwards, presenting the Central Park Kids Zoo Award for Best Kids Game!

As a terrific experience all around, #ClairObscurExpedition33 won this year's Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year!

After the hilarity that was Radosh & Duclayan, @tommustaine.bsky.social of @bethesda.net accepted the High Line Award for Best Remake on behalf of #OblivionRemastered!

Here are the top 5 Videos we captured of both #GGFest and the 15th #NewYorkGameAwards!

In a hilarious comparison to the award he's presenting, @radosh.bsky.social of The Daily Show brought his son @antennasunite.bsky.social to present our award Best Remake at the 15th #NewYorkGameAwards!

Please welcome our newest intern, Linette Marte! Linette fell in love with games like #AHatinTime, #StardewValley, #PokémonXY, and many more!

This year, Jennifer English won the Great White Way Award for Best Acting thanks to her fantastic performance as Maelle from #ClairObscureExpedition33! youtu.be/xSF9ijJ2jW4

Folks like @chrisbratt.bsky.social of People Make Games did fantastic work for Gaming Journalism, winning this year's Knickerbocker Award for Best Journalism!

Dive into an impressive digital world with Lumines Arise, this year's winner for the Cony Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR!

If you're looking for a great mobile game, look no further than @potipoti.studio's Is This Seat Taken? It took home this year's A-Train Award for Best Mobile!

It's always a struggle to choose, but we at the Circle were happy to announce that this year's Off-Broadway Award for Best Indie went to @dogubomb.bsky.social's #BluePrince!

Congratulations once again to this year's @rockstargames.com Scholarship Winner Osaze Okungbowa, who gave an amazing speech at the 15th #NewYorkGameAwards!

At the 15th #NewYorkGameAwards Phil Spencer of @xbox.com sent us a warm congratulations and celebrated his time with our #PlayingwithPurpose students!

Congratulations once again to Pokémon for being this year's Andrew Yoon Legend Award Winner at the 15th #NewYorkGameAwards! Here's a heartfelt acceptance speech from the Legendary President of The Pokémon Company, Mr. Ishihara!

Catch an unplugged version of Coral Crown from @supergiantgames.bsky.social #Hades2! Featuring Darren Korb, Ashley Barrett, & a surprise visit from Judy Alice Lee! The acoustics of the SVA Theatre were amazing for GG Fest's Supergiant Unplugged concert!

The NYVGCC is celebrated by #Nintendo executives from all walks as we received kind words from the newest President of Nintendo of America, Devon Pritchard, at the 15th #NewYorkGameAwards! She even promised to mentor our students through our Playing with Purpose program someday soon!

Catch a glimpse of the After Party from the 15th #NewYorkGameAwards! nygamecritics.com/2026/01/26/a...

Take a look at the ever hilarious In Memoriam section of the 15th #NewYorkGameAwards! The year of 2025 was littered with amazing games from all around the world, but that also means there are Game Overs galore for #TheDailyShow's @devdell.bsky.social to showcase! youtu.be/IHwo5foYzzo

At the 15th #NewYorkGameAwards, the Circle received an official Proclamation from New York City Councilman Christopher Marte!

Listen to @megaran.com's set at the 15th #NewYorkGameAwards! With the help of the #NYBrass, he unveils a new song to celebrate the Award show's 15th year!

Catch parts 1 & 2 of photos from the 15th Annual #NewYorkGameAwards at SVA Theatre!

Here are the pictures from our amazing time at GG Fest!