Each time a prominent prize-giving event draws close, one notices an outcry for the addition of new categories to recognize unsung work and delight the passions of followers with niche passions.
A fellow writer made the case advocating for terror-themed awards. It would be amazing. So would board games, this being a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front since similar to single-minded supporters, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal remains most pressing and important of all. This is the request: There should be a category for puzzle games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre is not a science; it remains highly personal, and inevitably spark debates and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. But it is an unavoidable compromise for the industry of interactive entertainment, showing incredible range they barely qualify as a single art form.
For the full spectrum of interactive entertainment excellence to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to compete fairly, genre categories are essential.
Existing Game Classification System
Leading game ceremonies currently feature award types recognizing Action, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these classifications actually cover numerous genres, allowing placement for numerous titles.
Different situation exists for brain-teasing titles. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Examine these examples from outstanding current releases, all very different: the architectural riddles in a particular game, intense tile-matching of another game, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles in another game. Which classification works within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
There are dozens excellent brain-teasers released every year without proper recognition during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify classification types such as Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging Indie races.
- An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition completely in 2014
- A different innovative game missed out that year
- Well-received sorting experience was overlooked recently
- Limited numbers of puzzle games managed to sneak into niche award types
Significance of Puzzle Games
These are often small games, but the art behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Well-known matching games count as most popular titles worldwide continuing this trend for an extended period.
The iconic tile-matching title competes with famous sandbox experiences for the title of highest-selling title ever; it also contends for top gaming experience. Logic titles represent cornerstones for gaming as medium, while interacting with diverse game types.
The Solution and Justification
Puzzle games wouldn’t have this problem. It would be easy to populate multiple candidates engaging, different, qualified experiences each ceremony simply — perhaps, with difficulty, given the need to exclude numerous deserving experiences.
And to reiterate, these are games lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Puzzle game makers operate at the demanding boundary interactive creation, producing among essential manifestations within interactive entertainment. Just like film action specialists, they merit acknowledgment. We shouldn't delay generations.
