As any major awards ceremony approaches, there’s always a demand to include of new categories to recognize underappreciated efforts and delight the hearts of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.
Another commentator previously argued supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. Equally deserving are tabletop games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, there's a strong justification supporting my request stands as crucial and important of all. The demand is this: There should be a classification for brain-teasing titles.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre isn't exact; opinions vary greatly, and typically spark debates concluding with vague boundaries. This explains why film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an essential concession for the industry of gaming, which are so diverse they barely qualify a single creative category.
For the full spectrum of interactive entertainment excellence to receive acknowledgment, and to ensure all game types to compete fairly, classification by type becomes crucial.
Existing Game Classification System
Leading game ceremonies presently include award types recognizing Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these six categories effectively encompass numerous genres, allowing placement for most games within them.
Different situation exists for logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Examine these examples from recent excellent titles, showing diverse approaches: the architectural riddles of one title, intense tile-matching of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. What category would fit them among existing types? Nowhere, that’s where.
Recognition Challenges
There are dozens outstanding logic titles launched regularly that have no home in entertainment awards, unless they happen to qualify for categories like Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging Indie races.
- An iconic brain-teaser got overlooked completely during that awards season
- A different innovative game missed out in 2019
- A beloved organization game received no acknowledgment that year
- Only a few logic titles barely qualified for niche award types
Importance of Logic Titles
These are often modest productions, yet the craft in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Famous handheld logic titles stand as the most-played games globally maintaining this status 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 additionally competes for top gaming experience. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, and they are in conversation with diverse game types.
The Solution and Justification
Puzzle games wouldn’t have that issue. It would be easy to populate five nominees engaging, different, qualified experiences each ceremony simply — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent so many good games out.
To emphasize again, these represent titles lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Logic title developers are working at the demanding boundary of video game design, developing some of essential manifestations of the video game form. Just like cinema stunt performers, they merit acknowledgment. Let’s not keep them waiting decades.