Each time a prominent honors show approaches, one notices an outcry to include additional classifications to acknowledge overlooked contributions and delight the spirits of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.
A fellow writer previously argued for a horror game category. It would be amazing. The same goes for strategy board titles, which is a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front just as with other single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case supporting my request remains most pressing and significant. This is the request: It's essential to create a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Classifying creative works isn't exact; it remains highly personal, and it will always generate discussions resulting in unclear classifications. This explains why film award organizations don’t do it. But it is an unavoidable compromise within the realm of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute one unified medium.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, classification by type becomes crucial.
Existing Game Classification System
Leading game ceremonies presently include classifications covering Action, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these six categories effectively encompass many game types, allowing placement for numerous titles.
Not so for brain-teasing titles. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Consider three of this year’s best games, showing diverse approaches: structural challenges from a specific release, the pulse-pounding block-matching of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Which classification works between these six categories? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Acknowledgment Issues
Many instances occur outstanding logic titles released every year without proper recognition during gaming ceremonies, if they accidentally match classification types such as Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive Indie races.
- An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition in any category that year
- A different innovative game received no nominations during that ceremony
- Well-received sorting experience was overlooked recently
- Only a few puzzle games managed to sneak into small studio or handheld classifications
Significance of Puzzle Games
Frequently they represent small games, but the art in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Well-known matching games count as most popular titles worldwide and have been for over a decade.
The legendary block-stacking game rivals famous sandbox experiences claiming status as most purchased experience; it’s also in the running for top gaming experience. Puzzle games are foundational for gaming as medium, and they are in conversation across multiple categories.
The Solution and Justification
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter that issue. It would be easy to populate multiple candidates interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these are games lacking appropriate categories during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers are working at the demanding boundary game development, developing some of most fundamental forms within interactive entertainment. Comparable to film action specialists, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait generations.
