Whenever a major awards ceremony approaches, one notices an outcry for introducing of new categories to recognize underappreciated efforts and delight the passions of fans who have specialized interests.
My colleague made the case for a horror game category. It would be amazing. The same goes for strategy board titles, which is a dedicated supporter's campaign. Yet I need to apologize in advance for pushing forward because like all dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal remains most pressing and important of all. Here's the proposal: It's essential to create a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and inevitably start arguments and end in fuzzy definitions. There’s a reason cinema institutions don’t do it. However, it represents an essential concession in the world of video games, that demonstrate such variety it's challenging to consider them a single creative category.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, and to ensure all game types to receive proper recognition, genre categories are essential.
Existing Game Classification System
Leading game ceremonies offer these classifications covering Action, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these award types actually cover a lot of ground, allowing placement for numerous titles.
This doesn't apply to logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Consider three of outstanding current releases, each quite distinct: the architectural riddles from a specific release, fast-paced pattern recognition from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Which classification works among existing types? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games released every year without proper recognition in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit for categories like Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.
- An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition completely that year
- A different innovative game missed out during that ceremony
- A beloved organization game was overlooked that year
- Just some brain-teasers managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories
Significance of Puzzle Games
Commonly they're modest productions, but the art in brain-teasers is of massive significance. Well-known matching games rank among the most-played games globally maintaining this status for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game rivals famous sandbox experiences claiming status as most purchased experience; it’s also in the running for top gaming experience. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks for gaming as medium, and engaging with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter that issue. You could fill a field of five engaging, different, qualified experiences every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these represent titles lacking appropriate categories in important events. Logic title developers are working at the hard edge game development, developing some of most fundamental forms of gaming itself. Comparable to movie stunt professionals, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait decades.
