Each time a prominent prize-giving event nears, one notices a clamor for introducing fresh award types to recognize overlooked contributions and delight the hearts of followers who have specialized interests.
A fellow writer has already made advocating for terror-themed awards. That would rule. Equally deserving are tabletop games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. However, I must insist if I try to elbow in front since similar to single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case supporting my request is the most urgent and significant. The demand is this: We need an award type for logic-based games.
Categorizing Game Types
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and it will always start arguments concluding with vague boundaries. There’s a reason film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. But it is an essential concession in the world of video games, showing incredible range it's challenging to consider them as a single art form.
For the full spectrum of achievement in video games to be recognized, and to ensure all game types to compete fairly, classification by type becomes crucial.
Existing Game Classification System
Leading game ceremonies presently include classifications covering Action, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these classifications actually cover numerous genres, allowing placement for numerous titles.
Different situation exists for puzzle games. No appropriate category exists for their placement. Examine these examples from outstanding current releases, all very different: building puzzles of one title, intense tile-matching of another game, thought-provoking social scenarios of a third title. Where could they possibly go among existing types? Unfortunately, nowhere.
The Representation Problem
There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly that have no home during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify for categories like Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive Indie races.
- An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition completely that year
- Another creative title was excluded in 2019
- A beloved organization game got ignored recently
- Limited numbers of puzzle games barely qualified for niche award types
Significance of Puzzle Games
Frequently they represent small games, yet the craft in brain-teasers is of massive significance. Iconic mobile puzzle games stand as most engaged experiences globally maintaining this status for many years.
The iconic tile-matching title competes with famous sandbox experiences for the title of best-selling game of all time; it also contends for top gaming experience. Puzzle games are foundational for gaming as medium, while interacting with diverse game types.
The Solution and Justification
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter that issue. It would be easy to populate five nominees engaging, different, qualified experiences each ceremony simply — actually, with challenge, given the need to exclude numerous deserving experiences.
And to reiterate, these represent titles lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Logic title developers function at the demanding boundary game development, creating some of essential manifestations within interactive entertainment. Similar to film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. We shouldn't delay decades.