Whenever a prominent prize-giving event draws close, you'll find an outcry for introducing of new categories to acknowledge overlooked contributions and fill the spirits of followers dedicated to specific genres.
Another commentator made the case supporting a scary games classification. It would be amazing. So would tabletop games, this being a passionate advocate's mission. 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 stands as crucial above others. This is the request: It's essential to create an award type for logic-based games.
Categorizing Game Types
Classifying creative works defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and it will always start arguments concluding with vague boundaries. There’s a reason cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. Yet it remains a necessary evil within the realm of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify one unified medium.
To recognize the complete range of achievement in video games to receive acknowledgment, and for games of all stripes to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital.
Present Award Structure
The major gaming awards offer these award types recognizing Action, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these classifications actually cover many game types, making space possible accommodating various experiences.
Not so for brain-teasing titles. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Consider three of outstanding current releases, each quite distinct: building puzzles from a specific release, fast-paced pattern recognition in a different title, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. Which classification works between these six categories? Nowhere, that’s where.
Recognition Challenges
Many instances occur outstanding logic titles launched regularly without proper recognition at major award shows, if they accidentally match for categories like Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging Indie races.
- An iconic brain-teaser wasn’t nominated for anything in 2014
- Another creative title received no nominations that year
- A beloved organization game received no acknowledgment that year
- Only a few puzzle games managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories
Value of Brain-Teasers
Commonly they're compact experiences, yet the craft behind logic titles holds tremendous importance. Well-known matching games rank among most engaged experiences worldwide and have been for many years.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with famous sandbox experiences competing to become most purchased experience; it also contends as greatest title ever. Puzzle games are foundational within interactive entertainment, and engaging with diverse game types.
Proposal and Rationale
Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. One could readily select a field of five interesting, varied, worthy titles annually without trouble — or rather, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
Restating the point, these represent titles lacking appropriate categories in important events. Puzzle game makers are working at the challenging frontier game development, creating some of the purest expressions of gaming itself. Just like cinema stunt performers, they merit acknowledgment. Don't make them wait decades.
