Each time a major awards ceremony approaches, one notices a demand to include additional classifications to honor overlooked contributions and satisfy the spirits of enthusiasts with niche passions.
A fellow writer made the case supporting a scary games classification. That would be fantastic. So would strategy board titles, which is a passionate advocate's mission. However, I must insist if I try to elbow in front because like all single-minded supporters, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand is the most urgent and important of all. Here's the proposal: It's essential to create an award type for logic-based games.
Categorizing Game Types
Categorizing art by genre is not a science; it remains highly personal, and it will always start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. This explains why movie academies steer clear of genre categories. Yet it remains an unavoidable compromise within the realm of video games, showing incredible range they barely qualify one unified medium.
For the full spectrum of achievement in video games to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events currently feature classifications covering Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these classifications effectively encompass numerous genres, allowing placement for numerous titles.
This doesn't apply to logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, showing diverse approaches: building puzzles of one title, the pulse-pounding block-matching from another release, thought-provoking social scenarios of a third title. What category would fit them within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
The Representation Problem
There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games released every year that have no home in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit award groups including Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested independent game categories.
- One classic puzzle game got overlooked for anything during that awards season
- A different innovative game was excluded in 2019
- Popular arranging title was overlooked in 2021
- Limited numbers of puzzle games scraped into independent or mobile categories
Value of Brain-Teasers
Commonly they're compact experiences, yet the craft in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Famous handheld logic titles rank among the most-played games globally continuing this trend for over a decade.
The iconic tile-matching title competes with famous sandbox experiences competing to become most purchased experience; it also contends for top gaming experience. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, while interacting across multiple categories.
Proposal and Rationale
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter this problem. One could readily select five nominees engaging, different, qualified experiences annually without trouble — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these include experiences lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Brain-teaser creators function at the hard edge game development, developing some of most fundamental forms within interactive entertainment. Similar to film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting decades.
