On January 23, Neil Druckmann received the Andrew Yoon Legend Award from the New York Videogame Critic Circle. This award was given to him by the entire video game industry. It's a way to reward his career and his impact on the video game world. During this event, many tributes were paid to him, before an emotional speech from Neil Druckmann himself.
At the SVA Theater in New York, the ceremony of New York Videogame Critic Circle (NYVGCC). This association helps the most disadvantaged people in New York. It intervenes through educational programs relating to writing and journalism, particularly in the world of video games.
The NYVGCC has also organized its own charity ceremony since 2012: the New York Game Awards. These reward the best games of the year, elected by a jury of New York critics. Several Naughty Dog games have already won awards there in the past, such as The Last of Us in 2014 (“best screenplay” and “game of the year” prize), or Uncharted 4: A Thief’s Endin 2017 (voted “game of the year”).
The Dogs were praised again during the 13th edition, on January 23. Indeed, Neil Druckmannflagship figure of the studio, received the prix Andrew Yoon Legend Award. To end 2024 well, let's look back together at this award which comes to honor his entire career and his significant contribution to the current video game world.
A musical entry for Naughty Dof fans
As the awards continued during the ceremony, jazz singer Kimberley Hawkey sat alone in the middle of the stage, singing with a banjo. Strongly reminding us of Gustavo Santaolalla, composer of the music of the different opuses and the series The Last of Usthe singer performs “ Wayfaring Stranger » by Johnny Cash, which Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker were able to sing together. She then continues “ Take on me », the famous a-ah song. This song, which Ellie sang to Dina in a memorable sequence in The Last of Us Part II, is very symbolic for fans.
After much applause, Kimberley Hawkey performs a third song. This time it is a title heard in the series The Last of Us (HBO), namely “ Long Long Time » by Linda Ronstadt. This song is performed on the piano in the series by Nick Offerman, who plays Bill in a moving third episode which tells his love story with Frank, another survivor played by Murray Bartlett.
An honorary summary of Neil Druckmann's career
These iconic songs make a perfect segue into Neil Druckmann's awards show. The latter is announced by Reggie Fils-Aimé, former president of Nintendo, and Harold Golbderg, journalist specializing in video games. They describe it as a « video game icon » and like “ the co-creator of the Emmy Award-winning series The Last of Us “. Then, they launch a video tribute to the co-president of Naughty Dog. Thus, his career is retraced, returning to the creation of the sagas Uncharted et The Last of Ussupporting archive photos.
This retrospective begins from the first seconds with the words « So Little is Great » (« Greatness comes from humble beginnings “). This is the emblematic motto of Nathan Drake, the hero ofUncharted. This mantra perfectly corresponds to the journey of Neil Druckmann, who joined Naughty Dog as an intern programmer in 2004, becoming its co-president in 2020. By the way, he simply co-wrote and directed video game sagas that had an impact around the world.
Journalist Dan Ackerman was the first to speak during this tribute. He presents Druckmann as “ a man whose career has covered everything we think about video games and what they can be », by creating unique games, imbued with realitywith historical figures for Unchartedor by creating perfectly immersive imaginary worlds, as for The Last of Usin stories that are impossible to forget.
For journalist Harold Goldberg, Naughty Dog moved into another dimension with the arrival of Druckmann. In his eyes, he contributed to a transition from entertaining games, like Crash Bandicoottowards a immersive and impactful experience with The Last of Us.
Journalist Sherri L. Smith, also presenter of the ceremony, adds that Druckmann's games have the same characteristics as great cinema films. They make us feel exceptional compassion for the characters. At the same time, they deploy humor as much as action, suspense or tragedy.
The compliments follow one another while images of the different The Last of Us. parade. Several journalists from the jury underline the power of certain cutscenes. That of the giraffe in the first The Last of Us is obviously cited as an example. But they also evoke the pace that is sometimes so frantic that it is difficult for players to take a break to breathe, as they are so involved in the story.
Single-handedly embodying Naughty Dog and its games, Druckmann is the one who receives rave reviews, but also certain waves of hatred, particularly at the time of leak of The Last of Us Part IIa few days before its release in 2020. For journalist Whitney Meers, it is necessary a solid level of empathy and knowledge of the human psycheand relationships with others, to write such deep and complex characters, to whom we manage to become attached despite their sometimes immoral choices.
The video game industry celebrates Neil Druckmann at the New York Games Awards
After the journalists' congratulations, several members of Naughty Dog also intervened to thank and congratulate Druckmann. We note in particular Evan Wellsthe former co-president of Naughty Dog. The latter traces the career of his colleague since his debut with the Dogs. He salutes his humility, his patience, and his sense of teamwork, which allowed him to reach today the management of the studio with the red paw:
It changed and raised the level of what people expect from a video game. His ability to create stories has now spread to so many other media, reaching more fans. This is something that very few people can replicate.
Josef Faresgame director Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, A Way Out et It Takes Twoalso applauds Druckmann's humility. He further congratulates him for being “ an excellent video game director, but also an incredible human being ».
Jesse SchellCEO of Schell Games, remembers Neil Druckmann as a student. It dates back to 2003, when he was studying at Carnegie Mellon University. Young Neil then had “ two passions: one was to push the boundaries to introduce more immersive and emotional storytelling within AAA games, and the other was to find a way to work for Naughty Dog “. These two objectives have now been achieved for the man of the evening!
A final guest congratulates him: Jason Rubinthe co-founder of Naughty Dog. He remembers the Dogs' objectives before the arrival of Druckmann. It was about creating an art form bringing together video games and films, while providing entertainment and emotion. Filled with pride, it is with emotion that he concludes this video tribute:
We were thinking about it during the Crash Bandicoot era, then during Jak and Dakter, but I don't think we would have gone that far. We wouldn't have achieved this dream if we hadn't met you.
Sincere and moving thanks to the Dogs
After the audience's applause, Neil Druckmann takes the stage. He begins a speech of thanks, while indicating that this award means a lot to him:
Being recognized in the tradition of incredible previous winners, whose work I admired as a child, is a reward that I cannot measure.
Druckmann mentions several big names in video games, such as Tim Schafer et Ron Gilbert. The creators of the saga Monkey Island strongly inspired him in the narration of his games. He also thinks about Jordan Mechnerwho developed the saga Prince of Persia. He doesn't forget either Ken and Roberta Williamsfounders of the development company Sierra On-Line which offered text-based games that allowed Druckmann to learn English.
The director of the saga The Last of Us continues by expressing his gratitude to the people in the industry who made it possible for him to reach this position. So he has a word for Jesse Schell, who was his Game Design teacher, and Jason Rubin. Moving on to more intimate thanks, he mentions the influence of his brother Emanuel. The latter is also a video game developer. He even started him at a young age and helped him infiltrate the E3 show floor as a child.
Thinking of ses parentspresent during these New York Games Awards, Drcukmann speaks directly to his own children : « You gave me a new scale to understand love and responsibility. I couldn't make games about unconditional love without you ».
Neil Druckmann's last words will go back to the whole Dogs team :
We work together in a highly collaborative environment. Every day I come to this office which is overflowing with talented people. I work with some of the best developers in the world. Together we fought for our ideas. Together we have experienced ups and downs and sometimes managed to build works of art and engineering. I have the privilege of contributing to and leading several projects at this studio, of which I was, and still am, a huge fan. And despite the various accolades, it never escaped my notice that I was one of Naughty Dog's many employees. One of those who was inspired at some point to join this crazy industry, one of those who poured his heart into his work, hoping to create something that would connect with his audience, without being sure it would work, one of those who, at one time, was depressed or felt insecure, and was supported by his colleagues.
This last statement underlines Neil Druckmann's deep respect and love for the members of the studio. He does not forget the many employees who have made him proud and the reputation of Naughty Dog, one of the largest video game studios in the world.
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