Each time a significant prize-giving event nears, you'll find an outcry for introducing of new categories to recognize overlooked contributions and satisfy the spirits of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.
My colleague made the case supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. So would tabletop games, representing a passionate advocate's mission. However, I must insist for pushing forward just as with other single-minded supporters, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand stands as crucial above others. The demand is this: There should be a category for puzzle games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Organizing artistic expressions isn't exact; it remains highly personal, and it will always spark debates and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. But it is a necessary evil in the world of gaming, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute a single creative category.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of interactive entertainment excellence to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to have a chance for representation, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
Leading game ceremonies offer these classifications covering Action, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these award types actually cover numerous genres, and you can find room accommodating various experiences.
Not so for brain-teasing titles. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, each quite distinct: the architectural riddles in a particular game, the pulse-pounding block-matching in a different title, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. Which classification works within current classifications? Nowhere, that’s where.
Recognition Challenges
Many instances occur outstanding logic titles released every year without proper recognition in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit award groups including Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive small studio competitions.
- An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition in any category that year
- Another imaginative release was excluded in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience received no acknowledgment recently
- Limited numbers of brain-teasers managed to sneak into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent modest productions, yet the craft of the puzzle game holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games count as most engaged experiences worldwide and have been for many years.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges well-known building titles for the title of best-selling game of all time; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation across multiple categories.
Proposal and Rationale
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter such difficulty. One could readily select multiple candidates with fascinating, diverse, deserving games every year with ease — or rather, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these represent titles that otherwise have no home in important events. Logic title developers are working at the challenging frontier of video game design, creating some of most fundamental forms within interactive entertainment. Similar to movie stunt professionals, they merit acknowledgment. Don't make them wait generations.
