As any major prize-giving event nears, one notices a demand for introducing of new categories to honor overlooked contributions and fill the passions of fans dedicated to specific genres.
Another commentator has already made for a horror game category. It would be amazing. So would strategy board titles, representing a passionate advocate's mission. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front because like all dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case for why my demand is the most urgent above others. This is the request: We need a category for puzzle games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Classifying creative works defies precise measurement; it remains highly personal, and it will always generate discussions concluding with vague boundaries. This explains why film award organizations avoid this approach. Yet it remains a necessary evil for the industry of video games, showing incredible range they barely qualify a single creative category.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of achievement in video games to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital.
Present Award Structure
Leading game ceremonies presently include classifications covering Action, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these six categories effectively encompass a lot of ground, allowing placement accommodating various experiences.
Different situation exists for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears to put them. Consider three of outstanding current releases, each quite distinct: the architectural riddles of one title, the pulse-pounding block-matching of another game, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles from additional release. What category would fit them between these six categories? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
There are dozens excellent brain-teasers published annually that have no home during gaming ceremonies, except when they manage to fit for categories like Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested Indie races.
- One classic puzzle game wasn’t nominated in any category in 2014
- A different innovative game received no nominations in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience was overlooked that year
- Only a few puzzle games managed to sneak into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
Commonly they're modest productions, but the art in brain-teasers carries substantial weight. Well-known matching games count as most popular titles in the world and have been for an extended period.
The famous puzzle experience rivals famous sandbox experiences competing to become best-selling game of all time; it’s also in the running for top gaming experience. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks within interactive entertainment, and engaging with almost every other genre.
Recommendation and Reasoning
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter this problem. One could readily select a field of five interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — or rather, with difficulty, since numerous excellent many worthy titles.
And to reiterate, these include experiences that otherwise have no home in important events. Puzzle game makers function at the demanding boundary interactive creation, developing some of most fundamental forms of gaming itself. Similar to cinema stunt performers, they merit acknowledgment. We shouldn't delay decades.
