Each time a prominent prize-giving event draws close, one notices an outcry for introducing additional classifications to honor underappreciated efforts and fill the hearts of fans who have specialized interests.
Another commentator previously argued supporting a scary games classification. It would be amazing. So would board games, representing a passionate advocate's mission. However, I must insist if I try to elbow in front since similar to blinkered fanatics, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal is the most urgent and important of all. The demand is this: We need a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and it will always generate discussions concluding with vague boundaries. There’s a reason film award organizations avoid this approach. However, it represents a necessary evil for the industry of interactive entertainment, showing incredible range they hardly constitute a single creative category.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, specific award classifications remain vital.
Current Gaming Award Categories
Leading game ceremonies currently feature genre categories for Action, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these award types actually cover many game types, making space possible for numerous titles.
Not so for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears to put them. Consider three of this year’s best games, each quite distinct: building puzzles in a particular game, intense tile-matching in a different title, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. Where could they possibly go among existing types? Nowhere, that’s where.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist excellent brain-teasers published annually that have no home in entertainment awards, unless they happen to qualify award groups including Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive small studio competitions.
- A renowned logic title received no recognition completely that year
- Another imaginative release received no nominations during that ceremony
- Well-received sorting experience got ignored recently
- Only a few puzzle games barely qualified for small studio or handheld classifications
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent modest productions, however the design of the puzzle game holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games stand as most popular titles worldwide maintaining this status for many years.
The legendary block-stacking game rivals famous sandbox experiences claiming status as most purchased experience; it also contends as greatest title ever. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, while interacting across multiple categories.
The Solution and Justification
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter this problem. One could readily select multiple candidates interesting, varied, worthy titles annually without trouble — actually, with challenge, because you’d have to leave many worthy titles.
And to reiterate, these include experiences lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Brain-teaser creators function at the challenging frontier interactive creation, creating some of essential manifestations of the video game form. Just like cinema stunt performers, they merit acknowledgment. Let’s not keep them waiting generations.
