Each time a significant prize-giving event draws close, there’s always an outcry for introducing of new categories to recognize overlooked contributions and delight the hearts of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
My colleague has already made supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. So would strategy board titles, representing someone's personal cause. However, I must insist if I try to elbow in front just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, there's a strong justification backing this proposal is the most urgent and significant. The demand is this: It's essential to create a category for puzzle games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Organizing artistic expressions defies precise measurement; opinions vary greatly, and typically start arguments and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an unavoidable compromise within the realm of gaming, which are so diverse they hardly constitute a single creative category.
For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, and to ensure all game types to compete fairly, classification by type becomes crucial.
Current Gaming Award Categories
Leading game ceremonies presently include classifications covering Action, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these classifications effectively encompass a lot of ground, allowing placement for numerous titles.
Not so for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Consider three of outstanding current releases, each quite distinct: structural challenges from a specific release, the pulse-pounding block-matching of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. Where could they possibly go between these six categories? Simply put, no category fits.
The Representation Problem
Numerous examples exist outstanding logic titles published annually that have no home at major award shows, if they accidentally match award groups including Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested Indie races.
- An iconic brain-teaser got overlooked completely during that awards season
- A different innovative game was excluded in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience got ignored in 2021
- Only a few puzzle games barely qualified for small studio or handheld classifications
Importance of Logic Titles
These are often compact experiences, yet the craft in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Famous handheld logic titles stand as most popular titles worldwide and have been for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with famous sandbox experiences claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks for gaming as medium, and engaging with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face such difficulty. One could readily select five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games each ceremony simply — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these represent titles lacking appropriate categories in important events. Puzzle game makers function at the hard edge game development, producing among essential manifestations of gaming itself. Comparable to film action specialists, they merit acknowledgment. Don't make them wait decades.
