Each time a significant prize-giving event approaches, one notices an outcry for the addition additional classifications to honor unsung work and delight the hearts of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
Another commentator made the case supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. Equally deserving are tabletop games, this being a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance for pushing forward because like all blinkered fanatics, there's a strong justification for why my demand is the most urgent above others. This is the request: We need a category for puzzle games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Classifying creative works defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and typically spark debates resulting in unclear classifications. There’s a reason movie academies don’t do it. Yet it remains an essential concession for the industry of gaming, which are so diverse it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, genre categories are essential.
Present Award Structure
The major gaming awards currently feature classifications covering Action, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these award types effectively encompass many game types, allowing placement for numerous titles.
This doesn't apply to logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Consider three of this year’s best games, all very different: building puzzles of one title, intense tile-matching from another release, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. Which classification works within current classifications? Nowhere, that’s where.
Recognition Challenges
Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games released every year without proper recognition at major award shows, if they accidentally match classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested Indie races.
- A renowned logic title received no recognition for anything in 2014
- Another creative title missed out in 2019
- A beloved organization game got ignored recently
- Only a few puzzle games scraped into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often compact experiences, but the art of the puzzle game holds tremendous importance. Famous handheld logic titles stand as most engaged experiences in the world continuing this trend for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges famous sandbox experiences claiming status as most purchased experience; it’s also in the running for top gaming experience. Puzzle games are foundational within interactive entertainment, while interacting across multiple categories.
The Solution and Justification
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter that issue. One could readily select five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games each ceremony simply — or rather, with difficulty, since numerous excellent so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these include experiences lacking appropriate categories in important events. Puzzle game makers are working at the hard edge interactive creation, developing some of most fundamental forms of the video game form. Similar to movie stunt professionals, they merit acknowledgment. Let’s not keep them waiting generations.
