As any major prize-giving event approaches, one notices an outcry for introducing additional classifications to recognize underappreciated efforts and fill the hearts of followers with niche passions.
Another commentator previously argued for a horror game category. That would be fantastic. So would tabletop games, which is a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance for pushing forward since similar to dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal stands as crucial above others. The demand is this: There should be a category for puzzle games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Classifying creative works defies precise measurement; it remains highly personal, and typically start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. It's understandable that film award organizations avoid this approach. But it is an unavoidable compromise within the realm of gaming, showing incredible range it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.
To recognize the complete range of interactive entertainment excellence to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to compete fairly, classification by type becomes crucial.
Current Gaming Award Categories
Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Combat games, 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.
Not so for brain-teasing titles. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Think about these outstanding current releases, showing diverse approaches: the architectural riddles of one title, intense tile-matching from another release, thought-provoking social scenarios from additional release. Which classification works within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
The Representation Problem
There are dozens excellent brain-teasers released every year without proper recognition during gaming ceremonies, if they accidentally match award groups including Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging small studio competitions.
- One classic puzzle game wasn’t nominated completely in 2014
- Another creative title missed out that year
- Well-received sorting experience was overlooked recently
- Only a few puzzle games scraped into niche award types
Importance of Logic Titles
These are often compact experiences, yet the craft behind logic titles holds tremendous importance. Well-known matching games rank among most engaged experiences globally continuing this trend for many years.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with well-known building titles claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it also contends for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones within interactive entertainment, while interacting with almost every other genre.
Proposal and Rationale
Puzzle games wouldn’t have that issue. You could fill multiple candidates with fascinating, diverse, deserving games annually without trouble — or rather, with difficulty, given the need to exclude so many good games out.
Restating the point, these include experiences lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Puzzle game makers operate at the demanding boundary game development, creating some of the purest expressions within interactive entertainment. Similar to film action specialists, they merit acknowledgment. We shouldn't delay generations.
