As any prominent prize-giving event draws close, you'll find an outcry to include of new categories to honor overlooked contributions and delight the passions of enthusiasts with niche passions.
Another commentator previously argued for a horror game category. That would be fantastic. So would strategy board titles, this being a passionate advocate's mission. But they will have to forgive me for pushing forward just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, there's a strong justification supporting my request stands as crucial and important of all. This is the request: There should be an award type for logic-based games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Categorizing art by genre is not a science; it’s very subjective, and typically start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. There’s a reason movie academies don’t do it. However, it represents an essential concession within the realm of gaming, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute a single creative category.
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.
Existing Game Classification System
Leading game ceremonies offer these classifications covering Action, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these classifications actually cover a lot of ground, and you can find room for numerous titles.
Different situation exists for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Examine these examples from recent excellent titles, all very different: building puzzles in a particular game, fast-paced pattern recognition in a different title, thought-provoking social scenarios of a third title. What category would fit them among existing types? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Recognition Challenges
Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games published annually without proper recognition during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested Indie races.
- One classic puzzle game got overlooked for anything that year
- Another imaginative release received no nominations in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience got ignored recently
- Just some brain-teasers barely qualified for independent or mobile categories
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent small games, however the design in brain-teasers is of massive significance. Iconic mobile puzzle games count as most engaged experiences in the world and have been for over a decade.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges well-known building titles claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational for gaming as medium, while interacting with diverse game types.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face such difficulty. One could readily select multiple candidates engaging, different, qualified experiences annually without trouble — or rather, with difficulty, given the need to exclude many worthy titles.
To emphasize again, these are games lacking appropriate categories during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers operate at the demanding boundary of video game design, creating some of most fundamental forms within interactive entertainment. Just like cinema stunt performers, they deserve recognition. We shouldn't delay decades.
