As any major honors show nears, there’s always a demand for introducing additional classifications to honor underappreciated efforts and fill the passions of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.
Another commentator made the case supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. The same goes for tabletop games, this being someone's personal cause. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front since similar to blinkered fanatics, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand stands as crucial and important of all. The demand is this: There should be an award type for logic-based games.
Categorizing Game Types
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; it’s very subjective, and typically generate discussions concluding with vague boundaries. This explains why cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. But it is a necessary evil in the world of interactive entertainment, which are so diverse they hardly constitute as a single art form.
To recognize the complete range of interactive entertainment excellence to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to compete fairly, genre categories are essential.
Present Award Structure
Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include genre categories for Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these six categories actually cover many game types, and you can find room accommodating various experiences.
Not so for puzzle games. No appropriate category exists to put them. Examine these examples from outstanding current releases, showing diverse approaches: building puzzles in a particular game, fast-paced pattern recognition from another release, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles from additional release. Which classification works between these six categories? Nowhere, that’s where.
Recognition Challenges
There are dozens outstanding logic titles launched regularly without proper recognition at major award shows, except when they manage to fit classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested independent game categories.
- One classic puzzle game received no recognition in any category during that awards season
- Another imaginative release was excluded that year
- Popular arranging title got ignored that year
- Only a few logic titles managed to sneak into niche award types
Significance of Puzzle Games
These are often compact experiences, but the art behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among the most-played games worldwide maintaining this status for an extended period.
The famous puzzle experience rivals famous sandbox experiences claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it’s also in the running as greatest title ever. Puzzle games are foundational for gaming as medium, and engaging with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Puzzle games wouldn’t have that issue. One could readily select five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games every year with ease — or rather, with difficulty, given the need to exclude so many good games out.
Restating the point, these are games without proper classification in important events. Puzzle game makers operate at the demanding boundary game development, creating some of essential manifestations of gaming itself. Just like movie stunt professionals, they deserve recognition. We shouldn't delay generations.
