As any major prize-giving event draws close, you'll find an outcry for introducing of new categories to honor underappreciated efforts and delight the spirits of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
Another commentator previously argued advocating for terror-themed awards. That would be fantastic. So would strategy board titles, which is a dedicated supporter's campaign. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front since similar to blinkered fanatics, I possess a compelling case supporting my request remains most pressing above others. Here's the proposal: There should be a category for puzzle games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; it’s very subjective, and typically start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. There’s a reason cinema institutions don’t do it. But it is an essential concession within the realm of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify as a single art form.
For the full spectrum of interactive entertainment excellence to gain proper attention, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
Leading game ceremonies currently feature award types recognizing Action, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these classifications successfully include a lot of ground, making space possible accommodating various experiences.
This doesn't apply to puzzle games. No appropriate category exists for their placement. Consider three of outstanding current releases, all very different: the architectural riddles in a particular game, the pulse-pounding block-matching of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. What category would fit them between these six categories? Simply put, no category fits.
The Representation Problem
There are dozens outstanding logic titles launched regularly lacking appropriate categories in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit award groups including Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.
- An iconic brain-teaser got overlooked completely in 2014
- A different innovative game received no nominations during that ceremony
- Popular arranging title received no acknowledgment in 2021
- Limited numbers of brain-teasers managed to sneak into niche award types
Significance of Puzzle Games
Frequently they represent compact experiences, but the art behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Famous handheld logic titles rank among the most-played games worldwide maintaining this status for over a decade.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with famous sandbox experiences competing to become best-selling game of all time; it also contends for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks to the art of video games, and they are in conversation across multiple categories.
Proposal and Rationale
Puzzle games wouldn’t have such difficulty. One could readily select five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games every year with ease — actually, with challenge, since numerous excellent so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these include experiences lacking appropriate categories during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers are working at the hard edge game development, developing some of essential manifestations of the video game form. Just like film action specialists, they merit acknowledgment. Don't make them wait decades.
