Each time a prominent awards ceremony nears, there’s always a clamor for introducing additional classifications to recognize underappreciated efforts and delight the hearts of followers who have specialized interests.
My colleague previously argued advocating for terror-themed awards. That would be fantastic. So would tabletop games, this being a dedicated supporter's campaign. Yet I need to apologize in advance when I prioritize since similar to blinkered fanatics, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal is the most urgent and important of all. This is the request: We need a category for puzzle games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and inevitably start arguments concluding with vague boundaries. There’s a reason cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. But it is a necessary evil for the industry of gaming, which are so diverse they barely qualify as a single art form.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to receive acknowledgment, and for games of all stripes to receive proper recognition, genre categories are essential.
Present Award Structure
Prominent interactive entertainment events offer these classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these six categories effectively encompass numerous genres, and you can find room for numerous titles.
This doesn't apply to puzzle games. No appropriate category exists to accommodate them. Consider three of outstanding current releases, all very different: the architectural riddles of one title, fast-paced pattern recognition in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges from additional release. What category would fit them between these six categories? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist excellent brain-teasers released every year without proper recognition in entertainment awards, if they accidentally match classification types such as Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive Indie races.
- A renowned logic title wasn’t nominated in any category that year
- Another creative title missed out that year
- A beloved organization game was overlooked that year
- Only a few logic titles barely qualified for niche award types
Significance of Puzzle Games
These are often small games, yet the craft behind logic titles is of massive significance. Famous handheld logic titles count as most engaged experiences worldwide and have been for many years.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges well-known building titles claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it also contends for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks to the art of video games, while interacting with almost every other genre.
Recommendation and Reasoning
Puzzle games wouldn’t have such difficulty. You could fill five nominees engaging, different, qualified experiences each ceremony simply — actually, with challenge, given the need to exclude numerous deserving experiences.
Restating the point, these are games lacking appropriate categories during prominent ceremonies. Brain-teaser creators are working at the challenging frontier of video game design, producing among most fundamental forms of the video game form. Similar to movie stunt professionals, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait 35 years.
