New York Videogame Critics Circle Announces Performers and Special Guests for the New York Game Awards

Musical acts to perform live and in-person at SVA Theatre in Manhattan on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023

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NEW YORK (Jan. 12, 2023) – Today, New York Videogame Critics Circle (NYVGCC) revealed the lineup of musical guests, comedians, and special presenters that will be involved in the 12th Annual New York Game Awards. During the show, guests can expect two musical performances featuring hip hop artist Open Mike Eagle and Upper West Side rock legend Mike Fornatale, content from Daily Show writers Devin Delliquanti and Matt Negrin, and award presentations from Oscar-nominated animator Bill Plympton and young chess champion Tanitoluwa Adewumi. 

“The New York Game Awards is a celebration of the best in gaming, but it’s also an opportunity to showcase talented musical acts who love games.” said Harold Goldberg, president and founder, NYVGCC. “Games are an artistic medium and music is such a crucial component of their existence. We are so happy to have talented acts like Open Mike Eagle and Mike Fornatale perform game music live in-person and during the show’s livestream on YouTube and Twitch.”

Open Mike Eagle

With albums like Dark Comedy and Brick Body Kids Still Daydream, Open Mike Eagle has carved out a unique identity as an artist that finds the funny while touching on socio-political themes. His newest album, Component System with the Auto Reverse, released this past October to widespread acclaim and was named one of NPR’s Best Hip Hop albums of 2022. He has also made appearances on Comedy Central, Adult Swim, and more.

Mike Fornatale

Mike Fornatale is a veteran of the NY-local music scene and has performed with acts such as The Left Banke, The Monks, The Washington Squares, Tom Clark, Handsome Dick Manitoba, Murderer’s Row, Loser’s Lounge, and many more. He brings a background of classic rock & roll sound as well as multi-instrumental and vocal talent. 

Devin Delliquanti

Known for his Emmy-nominated work on The Daily Show, Devin is an accomplished writer, producer, comedian, and frequent collaborator with the New York Game Awards. He will again produce a new installment of the “In Memoriam” segment, a comedic look back at the best game deaths featured in 2022 games and industry trends that have come and gone.

Matt Negrin

Matt is a Senior Producer at The Daily Show creating award-winning and Emmy-nominated content for the show. He is also an accomplished writer with featured work in publications such as Bloomberg, GQ, Politico, and ABC News. He will present the NYC GWB Award for Best DLC.

Bill Plympton

Bill Plympton will present this year’s Great White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game. Plympton is a two-time Oscar nominee for his work on animated Shorts like “Your Face” and “Guard Dog.” His most recent short film, Demi’s Panic, won multiple awards at the Big Apple Film Festival, USA Film Festival, and San Francisco Independent Film Festival. Plympton is no stranger to games either as he was Lead Animator on 1995 PC Game, Take Your Best Shot. 

Tanitoluwa Adewumi

At only 12 years old, Tani Tanitoluwa is an internationally-renowned chess player who holds the title of FIDE Master. He won the New York State Chess Championship at age 8 and competes in tournaments all over the world. He is also the author of My Name Is Tani . . . and I Believe in Miracles: The Amazing True Story of One Boy’s Journey from Refugee to Chess Champion. Tanitoluwa will be presenting the Central Park Children’s Zoo Award for Best Kids Game.

Ticket sales for the New York Game Awards help to fund ongoing programs with NYVGCC for 2023, and are on sale at this link. Tickets cost $40 for General Admission. For more information on ticket sales and other NYVGCC programs, please visit the website: https://nygamecritics.com/ 

About New York Videogame Critics Circle 

Based in Manhattan, the New York Videogame Critics Circle is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit multicultural organization comprised of 40 of the finest videogame critics, writers, reporters and bloggers in the nation. Members of the NYVGCC give back to their communities by providing scholarships, mentoring and community outreach to NYC schools students. The New York Videogame Critics Circle sees great benefit in advocating for those who are less fortunate.