As any prominent prize-giving event nears, you'll find a demand for introducing additional classifications to recognize underappreciated efforts and satisfy the passions of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.
A fellow writer has already made advocating for terror-themed awards. That would rule. Equally deserving are tabletop games, representing a passionate advocate's mission. However, I must insist for pushing forward since similar to single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case for why my demand stands as crucial and significant. Here's the proposal: There should be a category for puzzle games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Categorizing art by genre is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and typically generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. There’s a reason cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. But it is an unavoidable compromise in the world of gaming, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute one unified medium.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of interactive entertainment excellence to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to compete fairly, classification by type becomes crucial.
Current Gaming Award Categories
Prominent interactive entertainment events offer these classifications covering Action, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these award types effectively encompass many game types, making space possible for most games within them.
This doesn't apply to puzzle games. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Examine these examples from recent excellent titles, each quite distinct: building puzzles in a particular game, intense tile-matching in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. Where could they possibly go within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist of brilliant puzzle games released every year without proper recognition during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify for categories like Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.
- A renowned logic title received no recognition in any category that year
- Another imaginative release missed out in 2019
- A beloved organization game was overlooked that year
- Limited numbers of puzzle games managed to sneak into niche award types
Importance of Logic Titles
These are often small games, but the art behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Well-known matching games rank among most popular titles in the world and have been for an extended period.
The iconic tile-matching title challenges popular creative games competing to become most purchased experience; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones within interactive entertainment, while interacting with almost every other genre.
Proposal and Rationale
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter such difficulty. You could fill multiple candidates engaging, different, qualified experiences every year with ease — or rather, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
To emphasize again, these represent titles that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers operate at the demanding boundary interactive creation, creating some of essential manifestations of the video game form. Similar to cinema stunt performers, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait generations.
