Each time a major prize-giving event draws close, you'll find an outcry for introducing of new categories to recognize overlooked contributions and fill the spirits of followers dedicated to specific genres.
Another commentator made the case for a horror game category. That would be fantastic. Equally deserving are board games, representing someone's personal cause. However, I must insist when I prioritize since similar to single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case for why my demand is the most urgent and important of all. Here's the proposal: We need a category for puzzle games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and typically spark debates and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. But it is a necessary evil for the industry of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute as a single art form.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of achievement in video games to receive acknowledgment, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, classification by type becomes crucial.
Current Gaming Award Categories
Prominent interactive entertainment events currently feature genre categories for Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these six categories effectively encompass many game types, allowing placement for numerous titles.
This doesn't apply to brain-teasing titles. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Think about these this year’s best games, showing diverse approaches: the architectural riddles from a specific release, intense tile-matching of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Where could they possibly go among existing types? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist excellent brain-teasers released every year without proper recognition during gaming ceremonies, if they accidentally match for categories like Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging independent game categories.
- One classic puzzle game received no recognition for anything during that awards season
- Another creative title received no nominations that year
- A beloved organization game got ignored that year
- Only a few puzzle games scraped into small studio or handheld classifications
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent small games, however the design in brain-teasers is of massive significance. Well-known matching games stand as the most-played games globally and have been for over a decade.
The iconic tile-matching title rivals well-known building titles claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it additionally competes for top gaming experience. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks for gaming as medium, and they are in conversation with almost every other genre.
Recommendation and Reasoning
Puzzle games wouldn’t have that issue. One could readily select five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — actually, with challenge, given the need to exclude many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these include experiences that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers are working at the challenging frontier of video game design, producing among most fundamental forms of gaming itself. Similar to film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait 35 years.
