Each time a major prize-giving event approaches, one notices a clamor for introducing fresh award types to honor underappreciated efforts and satisfy the passions of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.
A fellow writer previously argued for a horror game category. That would be fantastic. The same goes for tabletop games, which is a dedicated supporter's campaign. However, I must insist when I prioritize since similar to blinkered fanatics, I possess a compelling case backing this proposal stands as crucial and important of all. This is the request: We need a category for puzzle games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Categorizing art by genre is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and it will always start arguments and end in fuzzy definitions. This explains why movie academies avoid this approach. However, it represents a necessary evil for the industry of video games, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify as a single art form.
To recognize the complete range of achievement in video games to gain proper attention, and to ensure all game types to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.
Present Award Structure
Prominent interactive entertainment events offer these award types recognizing Action, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these award types actually cover a lot of ground, and you can find room for numerous titles.
Different situation exists for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Consider three of recent excellent titles, each quite distinct: the architectural riddles in a particular game, intense tile-matching of another game, thought-provoking social scenarios of a third title. What category would fit them within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist outstanding logic titles released every year lacking appropriate categories during gaming ceremonies, if they accidentally match for categories like Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, and the highly challenging independent game categories.
- An iconic brain-teaser got overlooked for anything in 2014
- A different innovative game missed out that year
- A beloved organization game got ignored in 2021
- Only a few logic titles scraped into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
Commonly they're compact experiences, but the art behind logic titles holds tremendous importance. Well-known matching games rank among most popular titles globally maintaining this status for many years.
The iconic tile-matching title competes with popular creative games claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running for top gaming experience. Puzzle games are foundational for gaming as medium, and engaging across multiple categories.
Proposal and Rationale
Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. One could readily select five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games each ceremony simply — perhaps, with difficulty, given the need to exclude many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these are games that otherwise have no home in important events. Logic title developers are working at the demanding boundary game development, developing some of essential manifestations within interactive entertainment. Similar to cinema stunt performers, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait 35 years.
