Each time a prominent honors show approaches, there’s always a demand to include of new categories to acknowledge overlooked contributions and satisfy the spirits of followers dedicated to specific genres.
Another commentator has already made supporting a scary games classification. That would be fantastic. So would board games, this being a passionate advocate's mission. But they will have to forgive me for pushing forward just as with other single-minded supporters, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal stands as crucial and important of all. The demand is this: We need a category for puzzle games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Classifying creative works is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and inevitably spark debates concluding with vague boundaries. This explains why film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. Yet it remains a necessary evil in the world of gaming, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute as a single art form.
For the full spectrum of interactive entertainment excellence to gain proper attention, and for games of all stripes to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
Leading game ceremonies currently feature award types recognizing Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these award types successfully include many game types, making space possible accommodating various experiences.
Not so for logic-based experiences. No appropriate category exists for their placement. Consider three of recent excellent titles, showing diverse approaches: the architectural riddles of one title, intense tile-matching from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Which classification works within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games published annually without proper recognition during gaming ceremonies, 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 in 2014
- Another creative title received no nominations in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience got ignored that year
- Only a few logic titles managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories
Importance of Logic Titles
Frequently they represent compact experiences, however the design behind logic titles holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among the most-played games globally and have been for over a decade.
The iconic tile-matching title challenges well-known building titles for the title of most purchased experience; it also contends for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation with diverse game types.
Proposal and Rationale
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter that issue. It would be easy to populate a field of five interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — or rather, with difficulty, given the need to exclude many worthy titles.
To emphasize again, these are games without proper classification during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers are working at the demanding boundary game development, creating some of the purest expressions within interactive entertainment. Just like cinema stunt performers, they warrant appreciation. We shouldn't delay decades.
