Each time a significant awards ceremony approaches, one notices a demand for introducing additional classifications to recognize unsung work and satisfy the spirits of followers with niche passions.
My colleague has already made advocating for terror-themed awards. It would be amazing. Equally deserving are tabletop games, representing a passionate advocate's mission. But they will have to forgive me for pushing forward because like all single-minded supporters, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal remains most pressing and significant. Here's the proposal: We need a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Classifying creative works is not a science; it’s very subjective, and inevitably generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. This explains why cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an unavoidable compromise for the industry of gaming, showing incredible range they barely qualify a single creative category.
To recognize the complete range of achievement in video games 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 currently feature genre categories for Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these classifications actually cover numerous genres, making space possible accommodating various experiences.
This doesn't apply to logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to put them. Consider three of recent excellent titles, showing diverse approaches: the architectural riddles in a particular game, fast-paced pattern recognition from another release, thought-provoking social scenarios of a third title. Which classification works between these six categories? Simply put, no category fits.
Acknowledgment Issues
There are dozens outstanding logic titles released every year that have no home during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify for categories like Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested independent game categories.
- A renowned logic title got overlooked completely that year
- A different innovative game missed out in 2019
- Popular arranging title received no acknowledgment that year
- Only a few logic titles managed to sneak into small studio or handheld classifications
Value of Brain-Teasers
Commonly they're modest productions, however the design in brain-teasers carries substantial weight. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among most popular titles worldwide maintaining this status for over a decade.
The iconic tile-matching title competes with well-known building titles competing to become best-selling game of all time; it also contends for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones to the art of video games, and engaging across multiple categories.
Recommendation and Reasoning
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter this problem. It would be easy to populate a field of five engaging, different, qualified experiences each ceremony simply — perhaps, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave numerous deserving experiences.
Restating the point, these are games without proper classification in important events. Brain-teaser creators operate at the hard edge game development, creating some of most fundamental forms of gaming itself. Comparable to film action specialists, they merit acknowledgment. We shouldn't delay decades.
