Just wrapped up my analysis of the New York Video Game Critics Circle nominations, and wow, what a reflection of gaming's incredible 2018! As a pro gamer who's been in the trenches with these titles, I can tell you the competition was absolutely fierce. Rockstar's masterpiece Red Dead Redemption 2 is leading the pack with six nominations, with God of War hot on its heels at five. The industry's recognition of these titles confirms what many of us have been saying in our streams and tournaments throughout the year.

The Heavy Hitters

The Big Apple Award nominees represent the absolute cream of the crop, with Monster Hunter: World, God of War, Celeste, and Red Dead Redemption 2 all making the cut. Having put hundreds of hours into these games, I can attest that each brings something unique to the table:

  • Monster Hunter: World revolutionized the franchise's accessibility while maintaining its depth

  • God of War reimagined a beloved series with emotional storytelling and satisfying combat

  • Celeste proved indie games can deliver both challenging gameplay and meaningful narratives

  • Red Dead Redemption 2 set new standards for open-world immersion and character development

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Under-the-Radar Gems

While the blockbusters got plenty of attention, I've been especially impressed with the indie nominations. Into the Breach, Return of the Obra Dinn, and Gris demonstrate that innovation often comes from smaller studios. As someone who streams indie games weekly, I've watched these titles build devoted communities despite smaller marketing budgets.

Return of the Obra Dinn particularly blew me away with its unique visual style and detective gameplay:

Virtual Reality Coming of Age

The Coney Island Dreamland Award nominees show just how far VR has come. Moss, ASTRO BOT Rescue Mission, and Beat Saber aren't just great VR games—they're fantastic gaming experiences, period. I've been incorporating more VR content into my competitive schedule, and the skill ceiling for games like Beat Saber is legitimately impressive.

Performance Capture Excellence

The acting nominations highlight gaming's continued evolution as a storytelling medium. Christopher Judge's portrayal of Kratos and Roger Clark's Arthur Morgan showcase how performance capture technology, combined with exceptional talent, creates characters that resonate deeply with players. Having completed both campaigns multiple times for my channel, I can confirm these performances hold up to repeated playthroughs.

Mobile Gaming's Maturation

The A-Train Award nominees demonstrate mobile gaming's growing sophistication. Florence, Alto's Odyssey, and Part Time UFO prove that touch controls can deliver experiences just as meaningful as their console counterparts, just in different ways. I've found myself increasingly turning to these games during travel to tournaments.

People Also Ask

Why did Red Dead Redemption 2 receive so many nominations?

Red Dead Redemption 2's six nominations span categories including Best Game, Best World, Best Writing, and multiple acting nods. This reflects Rockstar's holistic approach to development, creating not just a beautiful game but one with narrative and technical excellence across all aspects.

Were there any surprising omissions from the nominations?

Notably, Assassin's Creed Odyssey received fewer nominations than many expected, appearing only in the Best World category despite its massive scope and critical acclaim. Similarly, Fortnite's cultural impact wasn't reflected in the nomination count.

How important are these awards to game developers?

While sales numbers matter most to publishers, industry recognition from bodies like the NY Critics Circle provides validation for creative teams who pushed boundaries. These awards often highlight design excellence that might not correlate directly with commercial success.

Honoring Industry Legends

It's worth noting that Jade Raymond will receive the Andrew Yoon Legend Award at the ceremony. Having followed her career from Assassin's Creed to her work founding new studios, this recognition is well-deserved. The industry needs to celebrate its pioneers, especially those who've opened doors for more diverse talent.

My Predictions

Based on my experience playing these titles competitively and analyzing them for my audience, here are my predictions:

  • Best Game: God of War (though my heart says Red Dead)

  • Best Writing: Red Dead Redemption 2

  • Best Acting: Roger Clark as Arthur Morgan

  • Best World: Red Dead Redemption 2

  • Best Indie: Celeste

The New York Video Game Awards ceremony streams on January 22, 2019, at 7:30pm on Twitch. I'll be hosting a live reaction stream with some fellow pro players to break down the winners!

Looking back at these nominations reminds me just how exceptional 2018 was for our medium. As we move through 2025, with technology advancing even further and boundaries between platforms blurring, I can't help but reflect on how these 2018 titles helped shape the gaming landscape we enjoy today. Many of these games established formulas and techniques that have become industry standards.

What do you think of the nominations? Did your favorites make the cut? Drop your thoughts below, and let me know which categories you're most excited about! 🎮✨