As any prominent awards ceremony nears, there’s always an outcry for introducing of new categories to honor underappreciated efforts and satisfy the passions of followers who have specialized interests.
My colleague made the case advocating for terror-themed awards. That would rule. So would tabletop games, representing a passionate advocate's mission. However, I must insist for pushing forward just as with other single-minded supporters, I have a cast-iron argument supporting my request remains most pressing above others. The demand is this: There should be a category for puzzle games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre is not a science; it remains highly personal, and typically start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. It's understandable that movie academies don’t do it. Yet it remains an unavoidable compromise within the realm of interactive entertainment, showing incredible range they hardly constitute a single creative category.
For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, and to ensure all game types to have a chance for representation, specific award classifications remain vital.
Current Gaming Award Categories
Leading game ceremonies presently include genre categories for Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these classifications successfully include numerous genres, making space possible accommodating various experiences.
This doesn't apply to brain-teasing titles. There’s simply nowhere for their placement. Examine these examples from recent excellent titles, each quite distinct: structural challenges in a particular game, fast-paced pattern recognition from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Which classification works within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games released every year without proper recognition in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit award groups including Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested Indie races.
- One classic puzzle game received no recognition for anything in 2014
- A different innovative game was excluded in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience was overlooked recently
- Only a few brain-teasers barely qualified for independent or mobile categories
Importance of Logic Titles
These are often modest productions, yet the craft behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Well-known matching games count as most popular titles worldwide maintaining this status for an extended period.
The iconic tile-matching title challenges well-known building titles claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational within interactive entertainment, while interacting with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter this problem. You could fill a field of five with fascinating, diverse, deserving games every year with ease — actually, with challenge, since numerous excellent so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these are games that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers function at the hard edge game development, producing among essential manifestations of gaming itself. Just like movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait 35 years.
