Each time a significant prize-giving event approaches, there’s always an outcry for introducing additional classifications to honor underappreciated efforts and satisfy the passions of followers dedicated to specific genres.
Another commentator previously argued supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. The same goes for board games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. However, I must insist if I try to elbow in front because like all blinkered fanatics, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand stands as crucial and important of all. The demand is this: It's essential to create an award type for logic-based games.
Categorizing Game Types
Classifying creative works isn't exact; opinions vary greatly, and inevitably spark debates concluding with vague boundaries. It's understandable that movie academies steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an essential concession in the world of gaming, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute a single creative category.
For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.
Present Award Structure
The major gaming awards presently include award types recognizing Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these classifications successfully include a lot of ground, and you can find room for most games within them.
This doesn't apply to brain-teasing titles. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Consider three of recent excellent titles, each quite distinct: structural challenges in a particular game, fast-paced pattern recognition of another game, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. Where could they possibly go among existing types? Unfortunately, nowhere.
The Representation Problem
Numerous examples exist excellent brain-teasers released every year that have no home during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify for categories like Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested Indie races.
- A renowned logic title wasn’t nominated for anything that year
- Another creative title received no nominations in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience received no acknowledgment that year
- Only a few brain-teasers barely qualified for small studio or handheld classifications
Significance of Puzzle Games
Commonly they're compact experiences, yet the craft in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games count as the most-played games worldwide and have been for over a decade.
The iconic tile-matching title rivals famous sandbox experiences claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, and engaging with diverse game types.
The Solution and Justification
Puzzle games wouldn’t have such difficulty. One could readily select a field of five engaging, different, qualified experiences every year with ease — actually, with challenge, since numerous excellent many worthy titles.
And to reiterate, these represent titles without proper classification in important events. Puzzle game makers operate at the demanding boundary game development, producing among most fundamental forms within interactive entertainment. Just like movie stunt professionals, they deserve recognition. Let’s not keep them waiting decades.
