Each time a significant prize-giving event approaches, one notices a demand for introducing of new categories to recognize underappreciated efforts and delight the spirits of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
My colleague previously argued supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. So would tabletop games, which is someone's personal cause. But they will have to forgive me when I prioritize since similar to dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case supporting my request is the most urgent above others. Here's the proposal: There should be a category for puzzle games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and it will always start arguments and end in fuzzy definitions. This explains why film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. Yet it remains an essential concession for the industry of video games, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify one unified medium.
For the full spectrum of achievement in video games to be recognized, and to ensure all game types to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital.
Current Gaming Award Categories
Prominent interactive entertainment events currently feature classifications covering Action, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these six categories successfully include a lot of ground, and you can find room for most games within them.
Different situation exists for logic-based experiences. No appropriate category exists for their placement. Think about these this year’s best games, all very different: the architectural riddles of one title, fast-paced pattern recognition from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Which classification works among existing types? Simply put, no category fits.
The Representation Problem
Numerous examples exist of brilliant puzzle games released every year lacking appropriate categories in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested small studio competitions.
- A renowned logic title wasn’t nominated in any category during that awards season
- Another imaginative release was excluded that year
- Well-received sorting experience was overlooked that year
- Just some puzzle games scraped into independent or mobile categories
Significance of Puzzle Games
Frequently they represent modest productions, however the design behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Well-known matching games count as the most-played games globally maintaining this status for many years.
The famous puzzle experience challenges well-known building titles claiming status as most purchased experience; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones to the art of video games, while interacting with diverse game types.
Proposal and Rationale
Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. It would be easy to populate five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — actually, with challenge, since numerous excellent numerous deserving experiences.
To emphasize again, these represent titles that otherwise have no home at major gaming awards. Brain-teaser creators are working at the demanding boundary of video game design, creating some of the purest expressions of gaming itself. Similar to movie stunt professionals, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait generations.
