Whenever a major prize-giving event draws close, one notices a clamor to include of new categories to recognize underappreciated efforts and satisfy the hearts of fans who have specialized interests.
Another commentator made the case for a horror game category. It would be amazing. Equally deserving are strategy board titles, this being someone's personal cause. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front because like all dedicated enthusiasts, there's a strong justification supporting my request remains most pressing and important of all. The demand is this: There should be a category for puzzle games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Classifying creative works defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and it will always generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. There’s a reason cinema institutions avoid this approach. Yet it remains a necessary evil in the world of gaming, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify as a single art form.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, genre categories are essential.
Existing Game Classification System
Leading game ceremonies currently feature classifications covering Action, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these award types actually cover numerous genres, allowing placement for most games within them.
Different situation exists for logic-based experiences. No appropriate category exists to put them. Consider three of outstanding current releases, all very different: the architectural riddles in a particular game, intense tile-matching from another release, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles from additional release. What category would fit them among existing types? Nowhere, that’s where.
Recognition Challenges
Many instances occur excellent brain-teasers launched regularly lacking appropriate categories in entertainment awards, if they accidentally match classification types such as Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested Indie races.
- An iconic brain-teaser wasn’t nominated for anything in 2014
- Another imaginative release was excluded in 2019
- Popular arranging title received no acknowledgment that year
- Limited numbers of puzzle games scraped into small studio or handheld classifications
Value of Brain-Teasers
Commonly they're small games, however the design behind logic titles is of massive significance. Iconic mobile puzzle games stand as most popular titles in the world and have been for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game rivals popular creative games competing to become most purchased experience; it also contends for top gaming experience. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks for gaming as medium, and engaging across multiple categories.
Proposal and Rationale
Puzzle games wouldn’t have that issue. One could readily select five nominees engaging, different, qualified experiences each ceremony simply — or rather, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave numerous deserving experiences.
Restating the point, these are games that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers are working at the demanding boundary game development, producing among the purest expressions of gaming itself. Similar to cinema stunt performers, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait generations.
