As any major prize-giving event approaches, one notices a clamor for introducing additional classifications to honor underappreciated efforts and fill the spirits of fans who have specialized interests.
A fellow writer has already made supporting a scary games classification. That would be fantastic. So would strategy board titles, which is a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front because like all dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case backing this proposal remains most pressing and important of all. Here's the proposal: It's essential to create a category for puzzle games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Classifying creative works is not a science; it remains highly personal, and typically generate discussions resulting in unclear classifications. This explains why film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. Yet it remains an essential concession within the realm of gaming, which are so diverse they hardly constitute a single creative category.
For the full spectrum of interactive entertainment excellence to receive acknowledgment, and to ensure all game types to receive proper recognition, classification by type becomes crucial.
Present Award Structure
Leading game ceremonies offer these award types recognizing Action, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these award types effectively encompass a lot of ground, allowing placement for numerous titles.
Different situation exists for logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Consider three of recent excellent titles, all very different: structural challenges of one title, fast-paced pattern recognition in a different title, thought-provoking social scenarios from additional release. Where could they possibly go within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Acknowledgment Issues
There are dozens excellent brain-teasers published annually lacking appropriate categories at major award shows, except when they manage to fit for categories like Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.
- One classic puzzle game got overlooked in any category that year
- Another creative title received no nominations that year
- A beloved organization game was overlooked that year
- Limited numbers of logic titles scraped into small studio or handheld classifications
Importance of Logic Titles
Commonly they're compact experiences, but the art behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Well-known matching games rank among the most-played games in the world continuing this trend for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with well-known building titles claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it’s also in the running for top gaming experience. Logic titles represent cornerstones to the art of video games, and they are in conversation with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Puzzle games wouldn’t have this problem. It would be easy to populate a field of five with fascinating, diverse, deserving games every year with ease — or rather, with difficulty, since numerous excellent many worthy titles.
And to reiterate, these are games that otherwise have no home in important events. Logic title developers function at the hard edge interactive creation, developing some of the purest expressions of the video game form. Comparable to film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting decades.
