Kojima to Receive Legend Award from New York Videogame Critics Circle

The New York Videogame Critics Circle will bestow Hideo Kojima with its Andrew Yoon Legend Award on Wednesday, ahead of its 10th annual New York Game Award ceremony.

"There's no one like Hideo Kojima; he's proved that he's a legend among legends," said former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé. "In the game industry that has always focused on franchises and marketing, Mr. Kojima has always been honest with us and himself."

The Andrew Yoon Legend Award recognizes creators in gaming that "exhibit a significant, sustained body of work that shows exceptional achievement and innovation," per the New York Videogame Critics Circle. Previous recipients of the award include Fils-Aimé, Ubisoft Toronto founder and Stadia executive Jade Raymond, Bethesda director Todd Howard, and Rockstar Games.

As the creator of the Metal Gear series and Death Stranding, Kojima is one of the most influential game designers in the history of the medium.

"I'm very thankful for the New York Game Award Legend Award; it's a great honor," Kojima said.

"The word 'legend' does kind of suggest someone with one foot in the grave, but I'm not quite a legend yet, so I'll try my very best to live up to the award," he added somewhat wryly.

Kojima will receive his award on a YouTube and Twitch stream at 8 p.m. ET, followed by an interview with Fils-Aimé. The rest of the New York Game Awards will take place Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. ET, with a pre-show starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.