As any prominent prize-giving event approaches, one notices a clamor for introducing additional classifications to acknowledge underappreciated efforts and satisfy the spirits of fans with niche passions.
A fellow writer previously argued advocating for terror-themed awards. That would rule. Equally deserving are tabletop games, which is a dedicated supporter's campaign. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front since similar to single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case backing this proposal stands as crucial and significant. Here's the proposal: There should be a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Categorizing art by genre defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and it will always start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. There’s a reason movie academies avoid this approach. Yet it remains a necessary evil for the industry of gaming, showing incredible range they barely qualify as a single art form.
To recognize the complete range of interactive entertainment excellence to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.
Current Gaming Award Categories
Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include classifications covering Action, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these classifications actually cover a lot of ground, making space possible for numerous titles.
Not so for brain-teasing titles. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, each quite distinct: structural challenges in a particular game, the pulse-pounding block-matching in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges from additional release. Where could they possibly go within current classifications? Nowhere, that’s where.
The Representation Problem
Many instances occur excellent brain-teasers published annually without proper recognition at major award shows, if they accidentally match for categories like Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.
- One classic puzzle game wasn’t nominated completely that year
- A different innovative game was excluded that year
- A beloved organization game was overlooked recently
- Limited numbers of puzzle games managed to sneak into small studio or handheld classifications
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often small games, yet the craft behind logic titles is of massive significance. Iconic mobile puzzle games count as most engaged experiences worldwide continuing this trend for over a decade.
The legendary block-stacking game rivals well-known building titles competing to become best-selling game of all time; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks for gaming as medium, and they are in conversation with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter this problem. One could readily select a field of five interesting, varied, worthy titles annually without trouble — or rather, with difficulty, given the need to exclude so many good games out.
To emphasize again, these include experiences that otherwise have no home in important events. Puzzle game makers operate at the hard edge game development, developing some of essential manifestations of the video game form. Comparable to film action specialists, they merit acknowledgment. We shouldn't delay decades.