Each time a significant awards ceremony draws close, one notices a clamor for the addition of new categories to honor overlooked contributions and fill the spirits of enthusiasts with niche passions.
Another commentator previously argued for a horror game category. It would be amazing. So would tabletop games, representing a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance when I prioritize just as with other single-minded supporters, there's a strong justification supporting my request stands as crucial above others. Here's the proposal: We need a classification for brain-teasing titles.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Classifying creative works is not a science; it’s very subjective, and inevitably start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. This explains why film award organizations don’t do it. Yet it remains a necessary evil in the world of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify as a single art form.
For the full spectrum of achievement in video games to be recognized, and to ensure all game types to have a chance for representation, genre categories are essential.
Existing Game Classification System
The major gaming awards offer these classifications covering Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these award types successfully include many game types, and you can find room accommodating various experiences.
This doesn't apply to puzzle games. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Think about these recent excellent titles, all very different: building puzzles from a specific release, fast-paced pattern recognition from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges from additional release. What category would fit them within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist excellent brain-teasers released every year lacking appropriate categories at major award shows, if they accidentally match classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested independent game categories.
- A renowned logic title got overlooked for anything that year
- Another imaginative release was excluded that year
- Well-received sorting experience got ignored that year
- Just some brain-teasers barely qualified for small studio or handheld classifications
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often modest productions, yet the craft of the puzzle game carries substantial weight. Famous handheld logic titles stand as most popular titles globally continuing this trend for over a decade.
The iconic tile-matching title competes with famous sandbox experiences competing to become most purchased experience; it additionally competes as greatest title ever. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks within interactive entertainment, while interacting with diverse game types.
Proposal and Rationale
Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. You could fill five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games each ceremony simply — actually, with challenge, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these represent titles lacking appropriate categories in important events. Logic title developers function at the hard edge game development, creating some of essential manifestations of gaming itself. Just like movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait generations.
