Game Executive Elena Lobova, like so many millions, had to pack up a suitcase of her important belongings in Kyiv and leave her mother country. This is Elena’s story, who’s just arrived in Slovakia. It’s about bravery and courage, about how she left and how she got out, and what she will do now that she’s left.

The Circle Interview: Ukraine Game Exec Elena Lobova On Leaving Her Home & Country During Wartime

Today, We Begin An Essential Series Of Interviews With Longtime New York Videogame Critics Circle Members. Here, Sherri L. Smith, Editor In Chief Of Laptop Magazine Talks To Interviewer Jade Entien About Being The First Black Woman In History To Helm A Technology Publication. (Find out more about what we do at our website, nygamecritics.com.)

Circle Interview: Sherri Smith, The 1st Black Woman To Run A Tech Publication, Talks To Jade Entien

In this Circle Interview, Makeda Byfield interviews writer and journalist Elizabeth Ballou, who co-wrote the narrative for the awesome Wylde Flowers, which is a prime contender for a New York Game Awards nomination. Elizabeth is a former NYVGCC intern, and she talks about her story for us on the GDC train as well. For more game interviews and reviews, check out NYGameCritics.com!

The Circle Interview  Awesome Wylde Flowers Writer Elizabeth Ballou Interviewed By Makeda Byfield

Reggie Fils-Aimé, the lauded New York Videogame Critics Circle Board member and former President of Nintendo of America, speaks with Makeda Byfield about his new book, mentoring at the Circle and much, much more. Here, Reggie talks about why he retired and answers the question about why he wrote a business tome and not a completely Nintendo-oriented book. Reggie also talks about his time at various key corporations prior to his works in games. In other words, Reggie rocks - and always will.

Circle Interview: Board Member Reggie Fils-Aimé Talks With Makeda Byfield On Disrupting The Game

The Sam Barlow/Immortality Interview is one of five parts in our Halloween series of deep drive interviews which culminates on October 31..  Barlow has been in game since his work on the early Silent Hill games. Immortality, however, is his most amazing - and creepy - game. Find out more and read the complete transcript at NYGameCritics.com.

The Halloween Interviews: Sam Barlow & The Eerie Nature Of Immortality, One of The Year's Best Games

Today, Isaac Espinosa Interviews Producer Natalie Watson, Who Does So Much At Half Mermaid. This Is Part 2 Of Our Halloween Week Series Which Features A Deep Dive Into The Creepy Horror Game Immortality. Find out more at NYGameCritics.com, where you can read the transcript. Attend the nonprofit NY Game Awards for 1/17/23 at this link: https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/3378136

Halloween Week Series! Immortality's Natalie Watson On Producing Things That Go Bump In The Night

How do you create Immortality? In Part 3 of our Halloween Week deep dive into the game Immortality, our awesome Bronx intern Khloe Wilkerson interviews the one and only programmer for Half Mermaid, Connor Carson. Connor, coincidently, was once an excellent intern for the New York Videogame Critics Circle herself, and she speaks about her time with us. While Khloe is our youngest intern, she asks thoughtful questions about Connor’s life in games – which we’re sure you’ll find compelling

Halloween Week Series! Immortality’s Connor Carson On Programming That Makes The Cauldron Bubble

NYVGCC Interviewer Makeda Byfield writes: In August of 2022, Sam Barlow’s interactive gaming experience “Immortality” hit the market. And if the wave of NYVGCC content about it doesn’t get the message across, then I’ll spell it out for you all: we’re big fans! It’s scary, it’s creative, it’s visually enticing. The game’s protagonist is incredibly entertaining, and it was a delight to unravel her mystery over the equivalent of three movies. It was an honor to experience this piece of art, and it is now my honor to share my interview with the leading lady, Manon Gage! During our talk, we discussed our thoughts about the meaning of horror in general. Manon also talked about her origin story, a mobile gaming experience that would allow the audience to play Immortality on the go, as well as a Netflix release. I’m proud to share my chat with Manon about the creative process of “Immortality,” her path to this role, and what she hopes to accomplish next.

Halloween Interview! Immortality's Awesome Actress Manon Gage Talks About Putting A Spell On You!

Welcome to Part 5, the final frightening portion, of the Circle's Halloween Series featuring Immortality. Emmy Award-winning composer Nainita Desai worked hard for over two years on Immortality's music and sound, creating three different themes in the soundtrack. To interviewer Valeisha Jackson, a Bronx intern for the New York Videogame Critic Circle, Nainita describes her process of creation, her early life in music, her journey of becoming a sound composer, how Britney Spears inspired her, the years she worked with Peter Gabriel, and more. For the complete Immortality series, go to NYGameCritics.com. And please join us on January 17 for the 12th Annual NY Game Awards at SVA Theatre in Manhattan.

Halloween Series! Immortality Composer Nainita Desai On The Music That Makes Games Eerie And Creepy

Celebrate the greatest games of 2023 at the New York Game Awards. Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann receives the Andrew Yoon Legend Award. The New York Game Awards returns to SVA Theatre with hosts Reggie Fils-Aimé, Harold Goldberg, and Sherri L. Smith. Catch performances from the Daily Show’s Devin Delliquanti and musician Kimberly Hawkey. 

Visit our website: https://nygamecritics.com

Donate to our games education nonprofit: https://nygamecritics.com/donate

Follow NYVGCC on Twitter:  twitter.com/nyvgcc  

Follow NYVGCC on Instagram: instagram.com/nyvgcc

The 13th Annual New York Game Awards

Abubakar Salim joins Harold Goldberg and Kimari Rennis to talk about the release of Tales of Kenzera: Zau and how grief and African myth helped shape the game.

Donate to NYVGCC’s Playing With Purpose games writing program at NYGameCritics.com/donate.
Playing With Purpose brings journalism and narrative writing classes direct to schools. Participating students are given the unique opportunities: mentoring from game industry legends (like Reggie Fils-Aime and Phil Spencer), paid writing internships in NYGameCritics.com, and college scholarships.

Subscribe, follow, like, and rate wherever you listen:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/nyvcc1
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3CEs85a3sCpQorzmjo2gdC
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-york-videogame-critics-circle-podcast/id1445039345
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d696c02e-a1ae-4381-81c0-dacb1760498a/new-york-videogame-critics-circle-podcast

Follow Us:
https://twitter.com/nyvgcc
https://instagram.com/nyvgcc

Created and Produced by: Harold Goldberg (twitter.com/haroldgoldberg) & Ryan O’Callaghan (twitter.com/mrryanoc) 
Recording and Editing by: Kaitlin Stringer (twitter.com/stringerkait) 
Graphic Design by: Ryan O’Callaghan

Abubakar Salim on Tales of Kenzera: Zau, Grief & African Myth | Playing With Purpose Podcast Ep. 01

Ben Starr joins Ryan O’Callaghan and Jade Entien to talk about Final Fantasy XVI: Rising Tide and how a lifetime of theater led to landing Clive Rosfield.

Donate to NYVGCC’s Playing With Purpose games writing program at NYGameCritics.com/donate.
Playing With Purpose brings journalism and narrative writing classes direct to schools. Participating students are given the unique opportunities: mentoring from game industry legends (like Reggie Fils-Aime and Phil Spencer), paid writing internships in NYGameCritics.com, and college scholarships.

Subscribe, follow, like, and rate wherever you listen:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/nyvcc1
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3CEs85a3sCpQorzmjo2gdC
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-york-videogame-critics-circle-podcast/id1445039345
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d696c02e-a1ae-4381-81c0-dacb1760498a/new-york-videogame-critics-circle-podcast

Follow Us:
https://twitter.com/nyvgcc
https://instagram.com/nyvgcc

Created and Produced by: Harold Goldberg (https://twitter.com/haroldgoldberg) & Ryan O’Callaghan (https://twitter.com/mrryanoc) 
Recording and Editing by: Kaitlin Stringer (https://twitter.com/stringerkait) 
Graphic Design by: Ryan O’Callaghan

Ben Starr on Final Fantasy 16 Rising Tide, Theater & Being Clive | Playing With Purpose Podcast Ep 2

It's the First New York Videogame Critics Circle Podcast! It features Circle Founder Harold Goldberg, Sherri L. Smith from Tom's Guide and Dan Ackerman from CNET. We have a spirited discussion about the frights in:

Current Games:

Super Mario Odyssey's creepier levels,
Evil Within 2
Wolfenstein II: New Colossus
Resident Evil 7 (and 2)
Cuphead

Classic Games:
Bioshock
Manhunt
The 7th Guest
Resident Evil 2 (which Ackerman reveals helped him get a job in games journalism)
Fatal Frame

Books:
Soft and Cuddly by Jarett Kobak
Dan's book, The Tetris Effect
Harold's book, All Your Base Are Belong to Us: How 50 Years of Videogames Conquered Pop Culture.

Halloween by New York Videogame Critics Circle, Podcast 1

In this NY Videogame Critics Circle Podcast, Harold Goldberg talks with God of War Creative Director Cory Barlog about the stress of making the game, the sullen nature of the character Atreus, what about the game makes Barlog tear up and more.

NY Videogame Critics Circle Podcast: God of War's Cory Barlog

In this New York Videogame Critics Circle Halley Gross podcast, you'll learn more about the creative process that went into putting together the landmark kiss scene between Ellie and Riley - and The Last of Us Part 2 as whole. Halley Gross, who's written for the Michael Crichton-novel based, Red Dead Redemption-inspired "Westworld," also talked about what it's like to collaborate with Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann - and the difficult dreams she had during the writing process.

NYVGCC Podcast: Interview With Halley Gross, Last Of Us Part 2 Writer

So many cool holiday things! The New York Videogame Critics Circle Holiday Podcast features CNET's Dan Ackerman and Scott Stein, Tom's Guide's Sherri Smith, Circle founder Harold Goldberg and Jeremy Agyemang from the DreamYard, where we mentor high school studnets. We talk NY Game Awards reveals, Red Dead 2, Spider-Man, God of War, Ozobot, Anki Vector, the new Smash Bros., The Mysterious Package Company, Opiods, the best and worst holiday gifts, and so much much. Have a great holiday!

Crazy Great Holiday Games, Tech & Wonders - NY Videogame Critics Circle

In this fun, spirited discussion, Scott Alexander, the narrative writer of Weedcraft Inc., talks with journalist/author Harold Goldberg in this New York Videogame Critics Circle Interview. Alexander talked about how the most violent games have no problem getting to market. But, he says, an honest and entertaining narrative revealing the pot pros and cons through a sim game has had difficulties getting to market. We also talk about the game's awesome music and the voluminous research done to create Weedcraft, Inc.

Devolver's Weedcraft, Inc.: The Ups And Downs Of Creating And Marketing A Pot Simulation

In this New York Videogame Critics Circle podcast, founder Harold Goldberg and Senior DreamYard Intern Kimari Rennis talk to PixelOpus creative director Dominic Robilliard and Art Director Jeff Sangalli about the compelling new content within Concrete Genie, how the art style was created, and more!

Concrete Genie Creators Talk About The Game's Origins, Art, Narrative And Maurice Sendak!

Teaser for "Talking Games With Reggie And Harold" podcast. Help us help the homeless and donate at https://charity.gofundme.com/talking-games-with-reggie-and-harold

Talking Games With Reggie And Harold

Enjoy Reggie's and Harold's inside games stories in this fundraising podcast for NYVGCC's nonprofit mentoring. Please go to NYGameCritics.com/Reggie to donate. Today, Reggie and Harold talk about Beginnings: Reggie's beginnings at Nintendo, Harold's beginnings creating the Circle, and the beginning of our new initiative with Henry Love to help homeless students in shelters with games in the time of COVID-19. (Special thanks to Anton Sanko, who composed our great music!)

Talking Games With Reggie And Harold Episode 1

Microsoft Xbox's Phil Spencer is our special guest on Talking Games With Reggie And Harold! Listen for his surprise announcement! Then, please donate for our good cause at NYGameCritics.com/Reggie. This also is a special music-themed episode in which  the former Nintendo of America president talks about his work with Loretta Lynn to the E3 concerts Nintendo staged. Harold talks about meeting Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis, Patti Smith, The Kinks, Talking Heads, The Cars, Green Day - and nearly getting arrested at a Bob Dylan show. Enjoy!

Talking Games With Reggie And Harold With Phil Spencer Episode 2

Have fun listening to Geoff, Reggie and Harold! But please donate to help us homeless students at https://charity.gofundme.com/talking-games-with-reggie-and-harold or https://nygamecritics.com/reggie. Here, we talk about Geoff beating Reggie at the Wii at E3 and how Reggie fought back to never be beaten again. We talk about the creation of The Game Awards and the loneliness Geoff sometimes feels, and how Geoff gives back at our New York Game Awards - every year. And we shout out to Evan Narcisse.

Talking Games With Reggie And Harold With Geoff Keighley Episode 3

First, please donate to our charity for homeless youth at NYGameCritics.com/Reggie. Today, the awesome DrLupo joins Talking Games With Reggie And Harold aboutBLM, Covid-19, his charity work, and games including Destiny, Fortnite and even Animal Crossing. Then, Dan Goldenberg talks about helping veterans via CODE, the Call of Duty Endowment.

Talking Games With Reggie And Harold With DrLupo Episode 4

First, please donate at NYGameCritics.com/Reggie. We need your help! To help mentor students of color and get them jobs! Today, Cloud9 owner Jack Etienne talks to Reggie and Harold about the team's storied history, the effect of Covid-19 on him and the teams, Cloud 9's first League of Legends team and whether Hai should have been an owner, the issue of bigotry in esports, what ownership means for Sneaky, and much more.

Talking Games with Reggie and Harold With Jack Etienne

Our first guest today is Evan Narcisse, writer for Spider-Man: Mile Morales (PS5) and The Rise of The Black Panther comic. In addition, we have news of a brilliant game technology from Square-Enix alums called Genvid. CEO Jacob Navok explains. Finally, Sherri Smith, editor in chief of Laptop Magazine talks the future of Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft with Reggie and Harold. Next week we'll have Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann talking about The Last of Us Part II. It will be the final episode of this series of Talking Games With Reggie And Harold! So enjoy!

Evan Narcisse Joins Talking Games With Reggie And Harold

It's really "The Last of Us" - for Reggie and Harold. That's because the two wrap up their seven-episode fundraising podcast with a PlayStation Special. Please donate now at to help underserved communities at https://nygamecritics.com/reggie/. First up, Naughty Dog's game director Neil Druckmann speaks about the making of and release of The Last of Us Part II - and offers donors a signed Last of U Part II PlayStation Pro Bundle! Then, Media Molecule's studio director Siobhan Reddy speaks about the creation of Dreams and LittleBigPlanet.

Popular tracks by New York Videogame Critics Circle