The New York Videogame Critics Circle is proud to present its Andrew Yoon Legend Award to Jade Raymond, co-creator of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, and founder of EA Motive and Ubisoft’s Toronto Studio. She’ll receive our Legend Award at the New York Game Awards ceremony on January 22nd, 2019 at SVA Theatre in Manhattan.

Critics Circle president and founder Harold Goldberg said, “We’re thrilled. From her early days at Sony Online Entertainment to this very day, Jade really has had a game-changer of a career. It makes total sense that the first woman we honor with our Legend Award be Jade Raymond.”

Jade has been a leading force to advance the medium of videogames as an art form by pioneering new forms of gameplay, player agency and online games. Perhaps even more importantly, she’s been on the vanguard of making the subject matter of games more thought provoking and relevant to our world. While the games Jade has helped create have been trailblazing, her contributions as an industry leader have been equally noteworthy: Jade has been a clear voice and important example in making the game business more inclusive. Serving on the board of directors of the AIAS dedicated to the advancement and recognition of the interactive arts as well as other boards such as WIFT, dedicated to the advancement of women in screen-based industries. Jade is a frequent speaker on the topic of diversity and inclusivity in entertainment.

Over the last 20 years Jade has shown her passion for all aspects of game development playing key roles in programming, design, production, studio-head, and executive jobs; she’s worked on, and sometimes created franchises including The Sims, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, Mighty Quest for Epic Loot, Star Wars, and of course, Watch Dogs and Assassins Creed. The worlds she has helped create have inspired novels and major motion pictures.

The Legend Award is presented by the New York Videogame Critics Circle to recognize people and organizations that have exhibited a significant, sustained body of work that shows exceptional artistic achievement and innovation. Past recipients of the award include Richard Garriott, Todd Howard, Rockstar Games, and Ralph Baer.

Tickets are now on sale for the 8th Annual New York Game Awards right here. Your admission includes free drinks, free game codes and the after party with the game developers and our critics. What the New York Videogame Critics Circle earns from the Awards goes back into our non-profit organization to help with mentoring, scholarships and workshops here in New York City.

The show, hosted by writers from the Daily Show With Trevor Noah, can also be seen on Twitch at 7:30 p.m. EST.