Each time a significant honors show draws close, one notices a demand to include additional classifications to recognize overlooked contributions and fill the hearts of enthusiasts with niche passions.
Another commentator previously argued advocating for terror-themed awards. That would rule. So would board games, this being a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me when I prioritize since similar to single-minded supporters, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal stands as crucial and significant. This is the request: We need a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Organizing artistic expressions defies precise measurement; it remains highly personal, and it will always start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. This explains why movie academies steer clear of genre categories. Yet it remains an essential concession within the realm of gaming, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute a single creative category.
To recognize the complete range of achievement in video games to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.
Present Award Structure
Leading game ceremonies presently include genre categories for Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these six categories effectively encompass many game types, and you can find room for numerous titles.
Different situation exists for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Consider three of recent excellent titles, showing diverse approaches: building puzzles from a specific release, intense tile-matching in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. What category would fit them among existing types? Nowhere, that’s where.
The Representation Problem
Many instances occur outstanding logic titles launched regularly that have no home at major award shows, except when they manage to fit for categories like Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, and the highly challenging independent game categories.
- A renowned logic title got overlooked in any category that year
- Another imaginative release received no nominations in 2019
- A beloved organization game received no acknowledgment that year
- Only a few puzzle games managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often small games, but the art in brain-teasers is of massive significance. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among most engaged experiences worldwide and have been for over a decade.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with famous sandbox experiences claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it also contends for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks to the art of video games, and engaging with almost every other genre.
Proposal and Rationale
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter this problem. One could readily select multiple candidates interesting, varied, worthy titles annually without trouble — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these represent titles that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers are working at the challenging frontier of video game design, creating some of essential manifestations of the video game form. Just like cinema stunt performers, they deserve recognition. Let’s not keep them waiting decades.
