As any prominent awards ceremony draws close, one notices a clamor for introducing additional classifications to acknowledge overlooked contributions and delight the spirits of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.
A fellow writer made the case for a horror game category. That would rule. So would tabletop games, representing a passionate advocate's mission. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front just as with other blinkered fanatics, I have a cast-iron argument supporting my request is the most urgent above others. Here's the proposal: It's essential to create a classification for brain-teasing titles.
Categorizing Game Types
Categorizing art by genre isn't exact; it remains highly personal, and it will always spark debates and end in fuzzy definitions. There’s a reason cinema institutions don’t do it. However, it represents an unavoidable compromise in the world of gaming, that demonstrate such variety it's challenging to consider them a single creative category.
To recognize the complete range of achievement in video games to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
The major gaming awards currently feature award types recognizing Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these six categories successfully include a lot of ground, and you can find room for most games within them.
This doesn't apply to brain-teasing titles. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Consider three of outstanding current releases, all very different: the architectural riddles from a specific release, the pulse-pounding block-matching in a different title, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles in another game. What category would fit them within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
The Representation Problem
Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games released every year lacking appropriate categories at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify for categories like Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested small studio competitions.
- One classic puzzle game got overlooked completely that year
- Another creative title received no nominations during that ceremony
- Well-received sorting experience received no acknowledgment recently
- Limited numbers of puzzle games scraped into niche award types
Importance of Logic Titles
Frequently they represent compact experiences, yet the craft in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games stand as most popular titles in the world and have been for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game rivals well-known building titles competing to become most purchased experience; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational within interactive entertainment, and engaging with diverse game types.
Recommendation and Reasoning
Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. You could fill five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave numerous deserving experiences.
And to reiterate, these are games without proper classification in important events. Brain-teaser creators operate at the hard edge game development, developing some of essential manifestations of the video game form. Comparable to cinema stunt performers, they merit acknowledgment. Don't make them wait 35 years.
