Whenever a major prize-giving event approaches, there’s always a demand to include fresh award types to acknowledge overlooked contributions and delight the spirits of fans who have specialized interests.
A fellow writer previously argued for a horror game category. It would be amazing. The same goes for strategy board titles, which is someone's personal cause. But they will have to forgive me for pushing forward just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument supporting my request is the most urgent above others. Here's the proposal: There should be a classification for brain-teasing titles.
Categorizing Game Types
Categorizing art by genre is not a science; it’s very subjective, and inevitably spark debates concluding with vague boundaries. It's understandable that film award organizations avoid this approach. However, it represents an unavoidable compromise for the industry of gaming, showing incredible range they barely qualify one unified medium.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to receive acknowledgment, and for games of all stripes to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
Leading game ceremonies presently include award types recognizing Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these award types successfully include numerous genres, making space possible for most games within them.
Not so for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Examine these examples from outstanding current releases, showing diverse approaches: building puzzles in a particular game, fast-paced pattern recognition of another game, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. What category would fit them within current classifications? Nowhere, that’s where.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist excellent brain-teasers launched regularly that have no home in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive Indie races.
- An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition for anything that year
- A different innovative game missed out that year
- A beloved organization game got ignored in 2021
- Limited numbers of brain-teasers managed to sneak into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often compact experiences, but the art of the puzzle game holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games count as the most-played games globally and have been for an extended period.
The famous puzzle experience rivals famous sandbox experiences for the title of most purchased experience; it’s also in the running as greatest title ever. Puzzle games are foundational within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. One could readily select a field of five interesting, varied, worthy titles annually without trouble — perhaps, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave numerous deserving experiences.
And to reiterate, these represent titles lacking appropriate categories in important events. Puzzle game makers function at the challenging frontier game development, creating some of the purest expressions of gaming itself. Similar to film action specialists, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait decades.
