Whenever a major honors show nears, you'll find a clamor to include fresh award types to acknowledge overlooked contributions and delight the hearts of enthusiasts with niche passions.
Another commentator made the case for a horror game category. That would rule. Equally deserving are strategy board titles, representing someone's personal cause. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front since similar to blinkered fanatics, I possess a compelling case for why my demand is the most urgent above others. The demand is this: There should be a category for puzzle games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and inevitably generate discussions resulting in unclear classifications. It's understandable that cinema institutions don’t do it. But it is an unavoidable compromise in the world of video games, showing incredible range they hardly constitute a single creative category.
For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to receive proper recognition, genre categories are essential.
Present Award Structure
The major gaming awards currently feature classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these award types actually cover many game types, allowing placement accommodating various experiences.
Not so for logic-based experiences. No appropriate category exists to accommodate them. Consider three of outstanding current releases, all very different: building puzzles from a specific release, intense tile-matching from another release, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles in another game. Where could they possibly go within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
Acknowledgment Issues
There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games released every year lacking appropriate categories in entertainment awards, if they accidentally match award groups including Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging Indie races.
- One classic puzzle game received no recognition completely in 2014
- A different innovative game missed out in 2019
- Popular arranging title was overlooked in 2021
- Limited numbers of brain-teasers managed to sneak into small studio or handheld classifications
Importance of Logic Titles
Frequently they represent modest productions, yet the craft of the puzzle game holds tremendous importance. Famous handheld logic titles rank among most popular titles globally maintaining this status for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges well-known building titles competing to become highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running for top gaming experience. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks within interactive entertainment, and engaging across multiple categories.
Proposal and Rationale
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter that issue. It would be easy to populate five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these are games that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers are working at the demanding boundary interactive creation, developing some of the purest expressions of the video game form. Just like movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. We shouldn't delay 35 years.
