Each time a prominent awards ceremony approaches, there’s always a demand for introducing of new categories to recognize overlooked contributions and delight the spirits of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.
A fellow writer previously argued advocating for terror-themed awards. That would rule. So would strategy board titles, which is a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front because like all single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case for why my demand remains most pressing and significant. Here's the proposal: There should be a classification for brain-teasing titles.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Classifying creative works is not a science; it remains highly personal, and it will always start arguments concluding with vague boundaries. It's understandable that film award organizations avoid this approach. Yet it remains a necessary evil within the realm of video games, showing incredible range they hardly constitute a single creative category.
To recognize the complete range of interactive entertainment excellence to receive acknowledgment, while allowing diverse titles to compete fairly, genre categories are essential.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events offer these classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these classifications actually cover a lot of ground, allowing placement for numerous titles.
Not so for logic-based experiences. There’s simply nowhere for their placement. Examine these examples from outstanding current releases, all very different: building puzzles from a specific release, fast-paced pattern recognition from another release, thought-provoking social scenarios from additional release. What category would fit them within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist outstanding logic titles published annually that have no home in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit classification types such as Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested small studio competitions.
- A renowned logic title received no recognition in any category during that awards season
- Another creative title received no nominations that year
- Popular arranging title got ignored that year
- Just some puzzle games barely qualified for niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often small games, yet the craft in brain-teasers carries substantial weight. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among most engaged experiences in the world and have been for over a decade.
The famous puzzle experience competes with popular creative games competing to become highest-selling title ever; it additionally competes as greatest title ever. Puzzle games are foundational within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation with diverse game types.
Proposal and Rationale
Puzzle games wouldn’t have this problem. One could readily select a field of five with fascinating, diverse, deserving games every year with ease — actually, with challenge, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
To emphasize again, these represent titles lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Logic title developers operate at the demanding boundary interactive creation, developing some of the purest expressions of gaming itself. Similar to cinema stunt performers, they merit acknowledgment. We shouldn't delay 35 years.
