Whenever a prominent prize-giving event nears, one notices a clamor for the addition fresh award types to recognize unsung work and fill the hearts of fans who have specialized interests.
Another commentator previously argued for a horror game category. It would be amazing. The same goes for strategy board titles, which is someone's personal cause. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front because like all dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case backing this proposal is the most urgent and significant. The demand is this: There should be a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Organizing artistic expressions isn't exact; opinions vary greatly, and inevitably start arguments and end in fuzzy definitions. This explains why cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. But it is a necessary evil in the world of interactive entertainment, which are so diverse it's challenging to consider them a single creative category.
To recognize the complete range of achievement in video games to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to receive proper recognition, classification by type becomes crucial.
Present Award Structure
The major gaming awards currently feature classifications covering Action, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these classifications successfully include numerous genres, making space possible accommodating various experiences.
This doesn't apply to logic-based experiences. No appropriate category exists for their placement. Consider three of outstanding current releases, all very different: the architectural riddles of one title, fast-paced pattern recognition in a different title, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles from additional release. Which classification works within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.
The Representation Problem
There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games released every year lacking appropriate categories at major award shows, if they accidentally match award groups including Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging Indie races.
- A renowned logic title received no recognition for anything in 2014
- A different innovative game missed out that year
- A beloved organization game was overlooked recently
- Just some brain-teasers barely qualified for small studio or handheld classifications
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent small games, however the design behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Well-known matching games rank among most popular titles in the world maintaining this status for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game rivals famous sandbox experiences competing to become highest-selling title ever; it also contends for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones for gaming as medium, and engaging with diverse game types.
Recommendation and Reasoning
Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. You could fill a field of five engaging, different, qualified experiences every year with ease — or rather, with difficulty, given the need to exclude numerous deserving experiences.
Restating the point, these are games lacking appropriate categories during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers function at the demanding boundary interactive creation, producing among most fundamental forms of gaming itself. Comparable to movie stunt professionals, they merit acknowledgment. Let’s not keep them waiting decades.
