Each time a major honors show nears, one notices a clamor to include of new categories to honor underappreciated efforts and fill the hearts of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.
A fellow writer previously argued supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. The same goes for board games, this being a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me when I prioritize because like all blinkered fanatics, I possess a compelling case supporting my request is the most urgent above others. The demand is this: We need a category for puzzle games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Classifying creative works is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and it will always start arguments and end in fuzzy definitions. This explains why film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. But it is an essential concession in the world of interactive entertainment, showing incredible range they barely qualify a single creative category.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, and for games of all stripes to compete fairly, genre categories are essential.
Present Award Structure
Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include classifications covering Action, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these classifications actually cover numerous genres, allowing placement accommodating various experiences.
Different situation exists for logic-based experiences. No appropriate category exists for their placement. Think about these recent excellent titles, all very different: the architectural riddles in a particular game, intense tile-matching from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. What category would fit them among existing types? Nowhere, that’s where.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist excellent brain-teasers released every year without proper recognition at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify for categories like Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.
- One classic puzzle game got overlooked completely during that awards season
- A different innovative game was excluded in 2019
- A beloved organization game was overlooked in 2021
- Just some brain-teasers barely qualified for independent or mobile categories
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent compact experiences, however the design behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Well-known matching games rank among the most-played games worldwide maintaining this status for many years.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges popular creative games competing to become most purchased experience; it’s also in the running for top gaming experience. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, while interacting across multiple categories.
Recommendation and Reasoning
Puzzle games wouldn’t have this problem. You could fill multiple candidates with fascinating, diverse, deserving games every year with ease — actually, with challenge, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these are games that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers function at the demanding boundary of video game design, producing among essential manifestations of gaming itself. Comparable to cinema stunt performers, they deserve recognition. We shouldn't delay 35 years.
