Whenever a prominent prize-giving event draws close, there’s always an outcry for introducing fresh award types to recognize overlooked contributions and fill the hearts of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
My colleague made the case advocating for terror-themed awards. That would rule. The same goes for tabletop games, which is a dedicated supporter's campaign. However, I must insist when I prioritize because like all single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case supporting my request stands as crucial and significant. Here's the proposal: There should be a category for puzzle games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Classifying creative works is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and it will always spark debates resulting in unclear classifications. 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 one unified medium.
To recognize the complete range of interactive entertainment excellence to gain proper attention, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
Leading game ceremonies currently feature award types recognizing Action, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these classifications effectively encompass a lot of ground, making space possible for most games within them.
Not so for brain-teasing titles. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Think about these outstanding current releases, all very different: structural challenges of one title, intense tile-matching in a different title, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. What category would fit them within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
Acknowledgment Issues
Many instances occur outstanding logic titles published annually lacking appropriate categories at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.
- An iconic brain-teaser got overlooked for anything in 2014
- A different innovative game was excluded that year
- A beloved organization game received no acknowledgment that year
- Only a few logic titles scraped into small studio or handheld classifications
Significance of Puzzle Games
These are often modest productions, but the art of the puzzle game holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among the most-played games globally maintaining this status for many years.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with well-known building titles claiming status as best-selling game of all time; 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.
Proposal and Rationale
Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. You could fill five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — actually, with challenge, given the need to exclude so many good games out.
Restating the point, these include experiences that otherwise have no home at major gaming awards. Logic title developers are working at the hard edge interactive creation, developing some of essential manifestations of the video game form. Comparable to film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait generations.
