"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" was honored with the Game of the Year accolade at the New York Game Awards 2026

At the 15th Annual New York Game Awards held yesterday, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the winner for Game of the Year.

The game from Sandfall Interactive also earned Jennifer English the Best Acting accolade for her role as Maelle.

The Best Indie Game honor went to Blue Prince by Dogubomb, while This Seat Taken by Poti Poti Studio was awarded Best Mobile Game. Meanwhile, Donkey Kong Bananza by Nintendo captured the Best Kids Game title.

A new category for the event, Best New York Game, was claimed by Kenny Sun's Ball x Pit, which highlights games produced by New York-based studios.

The Pokémon franchise was honored with the Andrew Yoon Award.

"For three decades, the Pokémon franchise has become globally recognized, captivating audiences of all ages with its distinctive creatures," remarked Harold Goldberg, founder and president of the New York Videogame Critics Circle.

Sam Lake, the creative director of Remedy, received the award last year.

Supergiant Games took the Best World award, Sparrow Night's News Tower was named the Best Hidden Gem, and the Best Games Journalism award went to People Make Games.

Here is the complete list of award winners:

Best Game of the Year: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive)
Best Indie Game: Blue Prince (Dogubomb/Raw Fury)
Best Mobile Game: Is This Seat Taken? (Poti Poti Studio/Wholesome Games Presents)
Best AR/VR Game: Lumines Arise (Enhance, Monstars)
Best Kids Game: Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo EPD/Nintendo)
Best New York Game: Ball x Pit (Kenny Sun/Devolver Digital)
Best Writing in a Game: Blippo+ (Telefantasy Studios, Noble Robot, Yacht/Panic Inc.)
Best World: Hades 2 (Supergiant Games)
Best Music in a Game: South of Midnight (Compulsion Games/Xbox Game Studios)
Best Acting in a Game: Jennifer English as Maelle in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Remake: The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered (Virtuos, Bethesda Game Studios/Bethesda Softworks)
Best Hidden Gem: News Tower (Sparrow Night, Twin Sails Interactive)
Best DLC: Lies of P: Overture (Neowiz, Round8 Studios)
Best Games Journalism: People Make Games
Andrew Yoon Legend Award Recipient: The Pokémon Company