Each time a major honors show draws close, there’s always an outcry for introducing fresh award types to recognize overlooked contributions and fill the passions of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
Another commentator previously argued for a horror game category. That would be fantastic. So would board games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. However, I must insist when I prioritize just as with other blinkered fanatics, there's a strong justification backing this proposal remains most pressing and important of all. This is the request: We need an award type for logic-based games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Categorizing art by genre defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and typically spark debates and end in fuzzy definitions. This explains why film award organizations don’t do it. However, it represents an unavoidable compromise within the realm of interactive entertainment, which are so diverse they barely qualify one unified medium.
To recognize the complete range of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, classification by type becomes crucial.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include genre categories for Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these classifications actually cover many game types, making space possible for numerous titles.
Not so for puzzle games. No appropriate category exists to accommodate them. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, showing diverse approaches: structural challenges from a specific release, the pulse-pounding block-matching in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. What category would fit them among existing types? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Acknowledgment Issues
Numerous examples exist of brilliant puzzle games published annually lacking appropriate categories at major award shows, if they accidentally match award groups including Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.
- An iconic brain-teaser got overlooked completely during that awards season
- Another creative title received no nominations that year
- Popular arranging title was overlooked that year
- Limited numbers of logic titles barely qualified for niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent small games, but the art in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Well-known matching games stand as most engaged experiences worldwide maintaining this status for over a decade.
The famous puzzle experience challenges well-known building titles competing to become most purchased experience; it’s also in the running as greatest title ever. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks for gaming as medium, while interacting across multiple categories.
The Solution and Justification
Puzzle games wouldn’t have such difficulty. One could readily select a field of five interesting, varied, worthy titles annually without trouble — actually, with challenge, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these include experiences that otherwise have no home at major gaming awards. Logic title developers operate at the demanding boundary interactive creation, developing some of most fundamental forms of gaming itself. Comparable to cinema stunt performers, they merit acknowledgment. Don't make them wait 35 years.
