Whenever a major awards ceremony draws close, there’s always a clamor for introducing additional classifications to recognize underappreciated efforts and fill the passions of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.
A fellow writer previously argued for a horror game category. That would rule. So would strategy board titles, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. However, I must insist if I try to elbow in front since similar to dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal remains most pressing and important of all. The demand is this: There should be a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and inevitably spark debates concluding with vague boundaries. This explains why movie academies avoid this approach. Yet it remains an essential concession in the world of video games, showing incredible range they barely qualify one unified medium.
For the full spectrum of interactive entertainment excellence to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to have a chance for representation, genre categories are essential.
Existing Game Classification System
Leading game ceremonies currently feature award types recognizing Action, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these award types successfully include a lot of ground, allowing placement for most games within them.
This doesn't apply to brain-teasing titles. There’s simply nowhere for their placement. Consider three of outstanding current releases, each quite distinct: building puzzles of one title, the pulse-pounding block-matching in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. Where could they possibly go within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Recognition Challenges
There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly without proper recognition during gaming ceremonies, except when they manage to fit for categories like Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive Indie races.
- A renowned logic title wasn’t nominated in any category in 2014
- Another creative title was excluded during that ceremony
- Well-received sorting experience was overlooked recently
- Only a few logic titles managed to sneak into small studio or handheld classifications
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent compact experiences, yet the craft in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Famous handheld logic titles rank among the most-played games in the world maintaining this status for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with famous sandbox experiences claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it’s also in the running as greatest title ever. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks within interactive entertainment, while interacting with diverse game types.
The Solution and Justification
Puzzle games wouldn’t have that issue. One could readily select a field of five interesting, varied, worthy titles annually without trouble — perhaps, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave numerous deserving experiences.
To emphasize again, these are games without proper classification in important events. Puzzle game makers operate at the demanding boundary game development, producing among the purest expressions within interactive entertainment. Comparable to film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. We shouldn't delay generations.
