As any prominent honors show draws close, there’s always a demand for the addition of new categories to acknowledge overlooked contributions and satisfy the passions of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
Another commentator previously argued supporting a scary games classification. That would be fantastic. Equally deserving are tabletop games, this being a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front because like all blinkered fanatics, I possess a compelling case supporting my request is the most urgent above others. The demand is this: There should be a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Organizing artistic expressions isn't exact; 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 a necessary evil in the world of gaming, which are so diverse they barely qualify as a single art form.
For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to receive acknowledgment, and for games of all stripes to compete fairly, genre categories are essential.
Existing Game Classification System
The major gaming awards currently feature classifications covering Action, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these six categories actually cover many game types, allowing placement for numerous titles.
Different situation exists for logic-based experiences. There’s simply nowhere for their placement. Think about these recent excellent titles, each quite distinct: the architectural riddles from a specific release, the pulse-pounding block-matching of another game, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles from additional release. What category would fit them among existing types? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Acknowledgment Issues
There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games released every year that have no home in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit award groups including Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested small studio competitions.
- An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition for anything that year
- Another imaginative release missed out in 2019
- A beloved organization game was overlooked that year
- Just some brain-teasers managed to sneak into small studio or handheld classifications
Significance of Puzzle Games
These are often compact experiences, however the design behind logic titles holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among most engaged experiences worldwide and have been for many years.
The legendary block-stacking game rivals well-known building titles claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it also contends for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation with diverse game types.
Recommendation and Reasoning
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter such difficulty. You could fill a field of five with fascinating, diverse, deserving games each ceremony simply — actually, with challenge, because you’d have to leave many worthy titles.
And to reiterate, these are games that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Brain-teaser creators operate at the challenging frontier game development, producing among the purest expressions of gaming itself. Similar to movie stunt professionals, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait decades.
