As any prominent prize-giving event approaches, one notices a demand to include of new categories to recognize overlooked contributions and fill the passions of fans who have specialized interests.
A fellow writer previously argued for a horror game category. That would be fantastic. So would board games, representing someone's personal cause. However, I must insist if I try to elbow in front just as with other blinkered fanatics, I possess a compelling case supporting my request remains most pressing and important of all. This is the request: It's essential to create a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Classifying creative works is not a science; it remains highly personal, and it will always generate discussions concluding with vague boundaries. This explains why movie academies steer clear of genre categories. Yet it remains an unavoidable compromise for the industry of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify a single creative category.
For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to receive acknowledgment, and to ensure all game types to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events currently feature award types recognizing Action, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these award types effectively encompass numerous genres, and you can find room for numerous titles.
Not so for logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Consider three of this year’s best games, showing diverse approaches: building puzzles from a specific release, fast-paced pattern recognition of another game, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles in another game. Where could they possibly go within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games published annually without proper recognition in entertainment awards, unless they happen to qualify award groups including Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.
- A renowned logic title got overlooked for anything in 2014
- A different innovative game missed out in 2019
- A beloved organization game got ignored recently
- Limited numbers of puzzle games managed to sneak into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often modest productions, yet the craft behind logic titles is of massive significance. Famous handheld logic titles stand as most popular titles globally and have been for an extended period.
The famous puzzle experience competes with popular creative games for the title of most purchased experience; it also contends for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational within interactive entertainment, and engaging across multiple categories.
Proposal and Rationale
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter such difficulty. You could fill five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games annually without trouble — or rather, with difficulty, since numerous excellent many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these include experiences that otherwise have no home at major gaming awards. Logic title developers are working at the demanding boundary game development, developing some of essential manifestations of gaming itself. Comparable to movie stunt professionals, they merit acknowledgment. Let’s not keep them waiting 35 years.
