Each time a prominent prize-giving event nears, one notices a demand for the addition of new categories to honor overlooked contributions and satisfy the passions of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
Another commentator made the case for a horror game category. That would rule. The same goes for board games, which is someone's personal cause. Yet I need to apologize in advance for pushing forward since similar to single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case backing this proposal remains most pressing and important of all. This is the request: It's essential to create a classification for brain-teasing titles.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; it’s very subjective, and inevitably generate discussions concluding with vague boundaries. This explains why cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an essential concession in the world of video games, which are so diverse it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.
To recognize the complete range of interactive entertainment excellence to gain proper attention, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, classification by type becomes crucial.
Present Award Structure
Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include genre categories for Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these award types actually cover many game types, allowing placement for numerous titles.
This doesn't apply to puzzle games. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Consider three of recent excellent titles, showing diverse approaches: the architectural riddles from a specific release, intense tile-matching from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges from additional release. Which classification works among existing types? Simply put, no category fits.
The Representation Problem
Many instances occur outstanding logic titles launched regularly without proper recognition at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify classification types such as Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested small studio competitions.
- One classic puzzle game wasn’t nominated for anything in 2014
- Another creative title received no nominations in 2019
- Popular arranging title was overlooked in 2021
- Just some brain-teasers barely qualified for niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
Commonly they're compact experiences, but the art behind logic titles holds tremendous importance. Well-known matching games count as most popular titles globally continuing this trend for over a decade.
The famous puzzle experience competes with well-known building titles competing to become highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, and engaging with almost every other genre.
Proposal and Rationale
Logic titles wouldn't face such difficulty. You could fill a field of five with fascinating, diverse, deserving games every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent numerous deserving experiences.
And to reiterate, these are games lacking appropriate categories in important events. Logic title developers are working at the challenging frontier interactive creation, creating some of most fundamental forms within interactive entertainment. Similar to movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting 35 years.
