Each time a significant awards ceremony draws close, there’s always a clamor for the addition of new categories to recognize overlooked contributions and fill the hearts of followers who have specialized interests.
Another commentator previously argued for a horror game category. It would be amazing. So would tabletop games, which is a passionate advocate's mission. But they will have to forgive me for pushing forward just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case supporting my request stands as crucial and important of all. The demand is this: There should be a category for puzzle games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and inevitably spark debates concluding with vague boundaries. There’s a reason movie academies steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an unavoidable compromise for the industry of video games, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify one unified medium.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of interactive entertainment excellence to gain proper attention, and to ensure all game types to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events currently feature classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these classifications successfully include many game types, allowing placement for numerous titles.
Not so for 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, the pulse-pounding block-matching from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. What category would fit them between these six categories? Nowhere, that’s where.
Acknowledgment Issues
Numerous examples exist outstanding logic titles released every year that have no home in entertainment awards, if they accidentally match award groups including Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested Indie races.
- An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition completely in 2014
- A different innovative game missed out during that ceremony
- A beloved organization game received no acknowledgment that year
- Just some logic titles managed to sneak into small studio or handheld classifications
Importance of Logic Titles
These are often small games, yet the craft of the puzzle game carries substantial weight. Famous handheld logic titles count as the most-played games globally and have been for many years.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with famous sandbox experiences for the title of highest-selling title ever; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation with diverse game types.
The Solution and Justification
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter such difficulty. It would be easy to populate a field of five engaging, different, qualified experiences annually without trouble — perhaps, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave many worthy titles.
To emphasize again, these represent titles that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers are working at the challenging frontier game development, developing some of most fundamental forms of the video game form. Comparable to movie stunt professionals, they merit acknowledgment. Don't make them wait generations.
