Each time a prominent prize-giving event draws close, one notices a demand for introducing additional classifications to acknowledge overlooked contributions and fill the passions of enthusiasts with niche passions.
Another commentator previously argued for a horror game category. That would rule. So would board games, representing someone's personal cause. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front since similar to single-minded supporters, there's a strong justification supporting my request stands as crucial above others. Here's the proposal: We need a category for puzzle games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Classifying creative works isn't exact; it’s very subjective, and it will always spark debates and end in fuzzy definitions. There’s a reason film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. Yet it remains an unavoidable compromise in the world of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute as a single art form.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of achievement in video games to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to receive proper recognition, genre categories are essential.
Current Gaming Award Categories
Leading game ceremonies currently feature genre categories for Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these six categories actually cover many game types, and you can find room accommodating various experiences.
Not so for brain-teasing titles. No appropriate category exists for their placement. Consider three of outstanding current releases, showing diverse approaches: building puzzles from a specific release, fast-paced pattern recognition from another release, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles from additional release. What category would fit them among existing types? Unfortunately, nowhere.
The Representation Problem
There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly without proper recognition in entertainment awards, if they accidentally match award groups including Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested small studio competitions.
- One classic puzzle game received no recognition completely in 2014
- Another imaginative release received no nominations in 2019
- Popular arranging title received no acknowledgment that year
- Limited numbers of logic titles scraped into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often small games, but the art in brain-teasers carries substantial weight. Well-known matching games stand as the most-played games worldwide and have been for many years.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with well-known building titles competing to become highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running for top gaming experience. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, while interacting with diverse game types.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. You could fill multiple candidates with fascinating, diverse, deserving games annually without trouble — actually, with challenge, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
To emphasize again, these include experiences that otherwise have no home at major gaming awards. Logic title developers operate at the demanding boundary interactive creation, developing some of the purest expressions of gaming itself. Comparable to film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting generations.
