Each time a major awards ceremony draws close, one notices a clamor to include of new categories to acknowledge unsung work and delight the hearts of followers who have specialized interests.
My colleague made the case for a horror game category. It would be amazing. So would tabletop games, which is a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me when I prioritize just as with other single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case supporting my request remains most pressing above others. Here's the proposal: It's essential to create a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Categorizing art by genre defies precise measurement; it remains highly personal, and typically generate discussions resulting in unclear classifications. It's understandable that movie academies avoid this approach. However, it represents an unavoidable compromise in the world of gaming, showing incredible range they hardly constitute a single creative category.
To recognize the complete range of achievement in video games to be recognized, and to ensure all game types to have a chance for representation, genre categories are essential.
Current Gaming Award Categories
The major gaming awards presently include genre categories for Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these classifications actually cover a lot of ground, and you can find room for numerous titles.
This doesn't apply to puzzle games. There’s simply nowhere to accommodate them. Consider three of this year’s best games, all very different: structural challenges of one title, fast-paced pattern recognition in a different title, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles of a third title. Which classification works within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist excellent brain-teasers released every year lacking appropriate categories during gaming ceremonies, if they accidentally match award groups including Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested Indie races.
- A renowned logic title got overlooked in any category that year
- Another creative title was excluded in 2019
- A beloved organization game received no acknowledgment in 2021
- Just some puzzle games barely qualified for niche award types
Significance of Puzzle Games
Commonly they're modest productions, however the design behind logic titles holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among most popular titles in the world and have been for over a decade.
The famous puzzle experience rivals well-known building titles for the title of highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running for top gaming experience. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, and engaging with almost every other genre.
Proposal and Rationale
Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. It would be easy to populate a field of five interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — perhaps, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these represent titles without proper classification in important events. Puzzle game makers function at the hard edge of video game design, developing some of essential manifestations within interactive entertainment. Similar to film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting 35 years.
