As any prominent honors show nears, one notices an outcry for introducing additional classifications to recognize underappreciated efforts and satisfy the passions of followers who have specialized interests.
Another commentator has already made for a horror game category. It would be amazing. The same goes for tabletop games, representing a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance for pushing forward because like all dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand is the most urgent above others. This is the request: We need an award type for logic-based games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre defies precise measurement; opinions vary greatly, and it will always generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. This explains why film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an essential concession in the world of video games, which are so diverse it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.
To recognize the complete range of achievement in video games to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, classification by type becomes crucial.
Existing Game Classification System
The major gaming awards currently feature classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these award types successfully include many game types, allowing placement for numerous titles.
Not so for logic-based experiences. No appropriate category exists for their placement. Think about these this year’s best games, all very different: building puzzles in a particular game, intense tile-matching of another game, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles of a third title. Which classification works among existing types? Nowhere, that’s where.
The Representation Problem
Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games published annually without proper recognition at major award shows, except when they manage to fit classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.
- One classic puzzle game received no recognition completely during that awards season
- Another creative title missed out that year
- Well-received sorting experience got ignored recently
- Only a few logic titles barely qualified for niche award types
Significance of Puzzle Games
These are often small games, but the art of the puzzle game holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games stand as the most-played games globally maintaining this status for an extended period.
The famous puzzle experience challenges popular creative games claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks within interactive entertainment, while interacting across multiple categories.
The Solution and Justification
Puzzle games wouldn’t have such difficulty. One could readily select five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — actually, with challenge, given the need to exclude many worthy titles.
To emphasize again, these include experiences without proper classification at major gaming awards. Logic title developers operate at the challenging frontier of video game design, producing among most fundamental forms within interactive entertainment. Similar to cinema stunt performers, they merit acknowledgment. Don't make them wait decades.
