Each time a significant prize-giving event draws close, one notices an outcry for introducing fresh award types to recognize unsung work and fill the passions of followers who have specialized interests.
Another commentator previously argued advocating for terror-themed awards. That would rule. Equally deserving are tabletop games, which is a passionate advocate's mission. But they will have to forgive me for pushing forward just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument supporting my request remains most pressing and significant. This is the request: We need a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Categorizing art by genre defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and it will always spark debates resulting in unclear classifications. This explains why film award organizations don’t do it. Yet it remains a necessary evil for the industry of gaming, which are so diverse they hardly constitute one unified medium.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and to ensure all game types to have a chance for representation, genre categories are essential.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events currently feature classifications covering Action, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these award types actually cover a lot of ground, allowing placement for numerous titles.
Not so for logic-based experiences. There’s simply nowhere to accommodate them. Examine these examples from recent excellent titles, each quite distinct: the architectural riddles from a specific release, the pulse-pounding block-matching in a different title, thought-provoking social scenarios from additional release. What category would fit them between these six categories? Nowhere, that’s where.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly lacking appropriate categories during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify classification types such as Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested independent game categories.
- One classic puzzle game received no recognition completely in 2014
- Another creative title missed out during that ceremony
- A beloved organization game got ignored that year
- Limited numbers of logic titles managed to sneak into small studio or handheld classifications
Importance of Logic Titles
Commonly they're compact experiences, however the design behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Famous handheld logic titles stand as the most-played games in the world maintaining this status for over a decade.
The iconic tile-matching title rivals popular creative games for the title of most purchased experience; it additionally competes for top gaming experience. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation with almost every other genre.
Recommendation and Reasoning
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter that issue. You could fill five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles annually without trouble — actually, with challenge, given the need to exclude numerous deserving experiences.
Restating the point, these represent titles lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Puzzle game makers function at the challenging frontier of video game design, developing some of essential manifestations of gaming itself. Just like cinema stunt performers, they warrant appreciation. We shouldn't delay 35 years.