NAVGTR https://navgtr.org/ National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Sun, 14 Sep 2025 03:16:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://navgtr.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/favicon.png NAVGTR https://navgtr.org/ 32 32 A Puzzling Revolution: How atmosphere reinvigorated a dying genre https://navgtr.org/2024/12/16/a-puzzling-revolution-how-atmosphere-reinvigorated-a-dying-genre/ Tue, 17 Dec 2024 04:34:29 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=18593 Puzzle games are one of the oldest genres in all of gaming, with classics like Tetris, Bubble  Bobble, Puyo Puyo, and Dr. Mario all being staples of retro gaming. Over the years, this genre slowly fell by the wayside only to be completely reinvigorated in more recent years thanks to a trend in the focus on an excellent atmosphere.

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]]> Uncharted vs. Cuphead https://navgtr.org/2024/11/11/war-of-awards-uncharted-vs-cuphead/ Mon, 11 Nov 2024 19:54:31 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=18569 In 2017, Cuphead won the award for “Animation, Artistic,” an award normally given to the title with the most striking visuals. However, another nominee for this award was Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, which featured incredibly realistic visuals and animation. This begs the question: what makes a game visually striking? Are good visuals defined by the […]

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]]> Funny games https://navgtr.org/2024/11/11/funny-games/ Mon, 11 Nov 2024 18:48:50 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=18565 Like all forms of art, video games can replicate nearly all ranges of human emotion, from horror games that strike fear in their players to story-based games that bring tears to their eyes. On the other end of the spectrum, many games can offer players a good chuckle—some more effective than others. Since 2005, NAVGTR […]

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]]> H-1B Visa https://navgtr.org/2024/09/18/h-1b-visa/ Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:23:01 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=18619 In a previous post, the criteria for demonstrating extraordinary ability were explained regarding EB-1 visas for permanent residency. An additional option for H-1B visas is explained by Oliver Mercer. These visas are temporary to start, limited in number, and dependent upon employer assistance.

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]]> Employment-Based Immigration: First Preference EB-1 https://navgtr.org/2024/09/17/employment-based-immigration-first-preference-eb-1/ Wed, 18 Sep 2024 05:28:05 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=18506 Source: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-first-preference-eb-1   You may be eligible for an employment-based, first-preference visa if you are a noncitizen of extraordinary ability, are an outstanding professor or researcher, or are a certain multinational executive or manager. Each occupational category has certain requirements that must be met. * Criteria for Demonstrating Extraordinary Ability In order to demonstrate you […]

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]]> 2025 Award Dates https://navgtr.org/2024/01/19/2025-award-dates/ Sat, 20 Jan 2024 04:49:57 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=18066 Games with a release date in the 2024 calendar year can start planning for the next awards season.  The deadline to submit a 2024 game will be November 25, 2024.  Nominees are expected to be announced on January 29, 2025.  Winners are expected to be announced on March 12, 2025.  While no change is anticipated, […]

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]]> The History of Game of the Year: A Look Back at GOTY Winners – Part 4 (2010-2021) https://navgtr.org/2023/12/25/the-history-of-game-of-the-year-a-look-back-at-goty-winners-part-4-2010-2021/ Mon, 25 Dec 2023 18:37:12 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=16989 The fourth and final part of NAVGTR's Game of the Year retrospective, where we look back at every winner between 2010 to 2021.

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]]> Small Studios, Big Wins: Analyzing Indie Game Developers in the Awards Spotlight https://navgtr.org/2023/12/24/small-studios-big-wins-analyzing-indie-game-developers-in-the-awards-spotlight/ Sun, 24 Dec 2023 18:09:50 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=17381 Some of the best games created in the past 15 years were from small studios. Today, we’ll be discussing a few indie game developers that won awards, and what made their games so successful.

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]]> Award-Winning Games With Design Gimmicks That Actually Worked https://navgtr.org/2023/12/23/award-winning-games-with-design-gimmicks-that-actually-worked/ Sat, 23 Dec 2023 18:13:22 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=17374 Not all game gimmicks are necessarily bad. In fact, many video games with game design choices that are considered gimmicks have even gone on to win awards – here are four award-winning games that feature awesome game design.

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]]> Remembering Satoru Iwata, Nintendo’s Former CEO https://navgtr.org/2023/12/22/remembering-satoru-iwata-nintendos-former-ceo/ Fri, 22 Dec 2023 18:11:45 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=17390 In today’s post, we’ll be remembering Nintendo's former CEO Satoru Iwata and his various achievements throughout his career.

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]]> The History of Game of the Year: A Look Back at GOTY Winners – Part 3 (2000-2009) https://navgtr.org/2023/12/21/the-history-of-game-of-the-year-a-look-back-at-goty-winners-part-3-2000-2009/ Thu, 21 Dec 2023 17:34:39 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=16944 Over time, the Game of the Year award became a sought-after award for many. Here’s a look back at every GOTY winner from 2000-2009.

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]]> Innovation in Audio: Award-Winning Games With Excellent Sound Design https://navgtr.org/2023/12/20/innovation-in-audio-award-winning-games-with-excellent-sound-design/ Wed, 20 Dec 2023 18:12:36 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=17361 Similarly to film, audio plays a huge role in adding to the mood, immersion, and enjoyment level of a video game. Audio does a ton of heavy lifting for games and is often an overlooked element.

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]]> Award-Winning Horror Games that Redefined Gaming https://navgtr.org/2023/12/19/award-winning-horror-games-that-redefined-gaming/ Tue, 19 Dec 2023 17:36:14 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=16970 Horror games have greatly evolved over the years. In celebration of the Halloween season, here are some award-winning horror games that have helped redefine horror games.

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]]> The History of Game of the Year: A Look Back at GOTY Winners – Part 2 (1990-1999) https://navgtr.org/2023/12/08/the-history-of-game-of-the-year-a-look-back-at-goty-winners-part-2-1990-1999/ Sat, 09 Dec 2023 02:35:23 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=16907 Here is NAVGTR’s look back at the history of the game of the year award, with this article covering every winner from 1990 to 1999.

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]]> Innovative Games that Stole the Spotlight: Deconstructing Game Design in Award-Winning Titles https://navgtr.org/2023/12/07/innovative-games-that-stole-the-spotlight-deconstructing-game-design-in-award-winning-titles/ Thu, 07 Dec 2023 17:35:18 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=16958 It's exciting to see a game truly shake things up; here are award winning games that truly innovated with unique game design.

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]]> Best selling new IPs https://navgtr.org/2023/12/06/best-selling-new-ips/ Thu, 07 Dec 2023 01:30:08 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=17838 A video game sales wiki on Fandom reveals interesting surprises about games that sold millions as the first of their franchises. The cultural phenomenon of Pac-Man sold 7 million copies but was dwarfed by Horizon Zero Dawn and Nintendogs. Cooking Mama and Dino Crisis sold more than Animal Crossing, Bioshock, Devil May Cry, and Chrono […]

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]]> The History of Game of the Year: A Look Back at GOTY Winners – Part 1 (1979-1989) https://navgtr.org/2023/12/05/the-history-of-game-of-the-year-winners-part-1-1979-1989/ Tue, 05 Dec 2023 17:57:54 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=16703 Starting in 1979, the award of game of the year has been a staple in the industry. Here is every GOTY winner from 1979 to 1989!

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]]> Roles eligible for awards https://navgtr.org/2023/12/04/roles-eligible-for-awards/ Mon, 04 Dec 2023 20:38:10 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=17866 The following is a list of roles that have been eligible for awards in various categories.   YEAR CATEGORY ROLE 2010 Animation Lead Animator 2010 Animation 2010 Animation Lead Game Animator 2010 Animation Lead Animator 2010 Animation Animators 2011 Animation 2011 Animation 2011 Animation Animation 2011 Animation Animation Technical Director, Animators 2011 Animation Animators 2012 Animation Lead Animator 2012 […]

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]]> 20-Year Game Music Mashup https://navgtr.org/2023/12/03/20-year-game-music-mashup/ Mon, 04 Dec 2023 04:05:21 +0000 https://navgtr.org/?p=18807 Experiments Matching Image, Emotion Jun 22, 2007   An interview with the editor of the music tribute   How did the music tribute come about? The tribute to 20 years of game music (1985 – 2005) was actually the first part of the awards show that was completed.  Nothing else had been shot or edited.  […]

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]]> Warner Bros. Games and DC Launch Batman™: Arkham Trilogy for Nintendo Switch™ https://navgtr.org/2023/12/02/warner-bros-games-and-dc-launch-batman-arkham-trilogy-for-nintendo-switch/ Sat, 02 Dec 2023 11:06:05 +0000 https://navgtr.org/2023/12/02/warner-bros-games-and-dc-launch-batman-arkham-trilogy-for-nintendo-switch/ Rocksteady Studios’ Award-Winning Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, and Batman: Arkham Knight Available for the First Time on the Nintendo Platform, Complete with All Previously Released DLC BURBANK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Warner Bros. Games and DC today announced Batman: Arkham Trilogy is now available for the first time on Nintendo Switch™. The compilation of Rocksteady Studios’ […]

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