As any major awards ceremony approaches, you'll find a clamor for introducing of new categories to acknowledge overlooked contributions and fill the spirits of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
A fellow writer made the case for a horror game category. That would rule. Equally deserving are board games, representing someone's personal cause. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front since similar to blinkered fanatics, I have a cast-iron argument supporting my request is the most urgent and significant. This is the request: We need a category for puzzle games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Organizing artistic expressions isn't exact; opinions vary greatly, and inevitably start arguments and end in fuzzy definitions. There’s a reason film award organizations don’t do it. Yet it remains an unavoidable compromise in the world of video games, that demonstrate such variety it's challenging to consider them as a single art form.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to receive proper recognition, genre categories are essential.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include genre categories for Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these classifications successfully include a lot of ground, making space possible for numerous titles.
Different situation exists for puzzle games. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, all very different: building puzzles in a particular game, fast-paced pattern recognition of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. What category would fit them within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
The Representation Problem
Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly that have no home at major award shows, if they accidentally match classification types such as Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging independent game categories.
- One classic puzzle game received no recognition in any category during that awards season
- Another creative title was excluded during that ceremony
- A beloved organization game received no acknowledgment that year
- Limited numbers of logic titles managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories
Importance of Logic Titles
Commonly they're small games, but the art of the puzzle game carries substantial weight. Well-known matching games count as most popular titles globally continuing this trend for many years.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with famous sandbox experiences competing to become highest-selling title ever; it also contends as greatest title ever. Logic titles represent cornerstones within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation with diverse game types.
The Solution and Justification
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter that issue. One could readily select five nominees engaging, different, qualified experiences annually without trouble — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these are games lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Puzzle game makers function at the demanding boundary interactive creation, creating some of most fundamental forms of the video game form. Similar to movie stunt professionals, they deserve recognition. We shouldn't delay 35 years.
