Each time a prominent awards ceremony draws close, you'll find a demand for the addition fresh award types to acknowledge unsung work and satisfy the passions of followers who have specialized interests.
Another commentator previously argued for a horror game category. It would be amazing. So would board games, which is a passionate advocate's mission. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front because like all dedicated enthusiasts, there's a strong justification supporting my request remains most pressing and important of all. This is the request: There should be a classification for brain-teasing titles.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; it’s very subjective, and inevitably start arguments concluding with vague boundaries. There’s a reason cinema institutions don’t do it. However, it represents an essential concession in the world of video games, which are so diverse they barely qualify as a single art form.
For the full spectrum of interactive entertainment excellence to gain proper attention, and to ensure all game types to have a chance for representation, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
Leading game ceremonies presently include classifications covering Action, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these award types effectively encompass numerous genres, making space possible for numerous titles.
Not so for logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to put them. Consider three of this year’s best games, showing diverse approaches: the architectural riddles of one title, the pulse-pounding block-matching from another release, thought-provoking social scenarios of a third title. What category would fit them within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games published annually lacking appropriate categories during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify classification types such as Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested Indie races.
- One classic puzzle game got overlooked in any category that year
- A different innovative game was excluded during that ceremony
- Popular arranging title was overlooked that year
- Just some logic titles scraped into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent modest productions, however the design in brain-teasers carries substantial weight. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among most engaged experiences worldwide and have been for an extended period.
The iconic tile-matching title rivals well-known building titles competing to become most purchased experience; it also contends as greatest title ever. Puzzle games are foundational for gaming as medium, while interacting with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face such difficulty. One could readily select five nominees engaging, different, qualified experiences annually without trouble — or rather, with difficulty, since numerous excellent numerous deserving experiences.
To emphasize again, these are games without proper classification in important events. Puzzle game makers are working at the demanding boundary of video game design, developing some of the purest expressions of gaming itself. Comparable to film action specialists, they deserve recognition. We shouldn't delay 35 years.
