Each time a significant prize-giving event draws close, one notices a demand for the addition of new categories to recognize unsung work and satisfy the passions of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.
My colleague previously argued for a horror game category. That would be fantastic. Equally deserving are board games, which is a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front since similar to dedicated enthusiasts, there's a strong justification backing this proposal remains most pressing and important of all. This is the request: We need an award type for logic-based games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Classifying creative works defies precise measurement; opinions vary greatly, and it will always generate discussions concluding with vague boundaries. It's understandable that cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. Yet it remains an essential concession in the world of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify one unified medium.
To recognize the complete range of interactive entertainment excellence to receive acknowledgment, and for games of all stripes to receive proper recognition, classification by type becomes crucial.
Current Gaming Award Categories
Leading game ceremonies currently feature genre categories for Action, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these six categories successfully include a lot of ground, making space possible accommodating various experiences.
This doesn't apply to puzzle games. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Consider three of recent excellent titles, all very different: structural challenges in a particular game, fast-paced pattern recognition from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges from additional release. What category would fit them among existing types? Simply put, no category fits.
Acknowledgment Issues
Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games released every year without proper recognition at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify award groups including Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, and the highly challenging small studio competitions.
- One classic puzzle game got overlooked completely during that awards season
- Another creative title was excluded in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience got ignored recently
- Just some puzzle games managed to sneak into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent modest productions, however the design in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Famous handheld logic titles stand as most popular titles in the world continuing this trend for an extended period.
The famous puzzle experience rivals well-known building titles competing to become most purchased experience; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones for gaming as medium, and they are in conversation with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter such difficulty. It would be easy to populate multiple candidates interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent numerous deserving experiences.
Restating the point, these are games without proper classification in important events. Brain-teaser creators operate at the hard edge of video game design, producing among the purest expressions of the video game form. Comparable to cinema stunt performers, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait 35 years.
