Whenever a major prize-giving event nears, one notices a clamor to include of new categories to acknowledge unsung work and fill the hearts of enthusiasts with niche passions.
My colleague made the case advocating for terror-themed awards. It would be amazing. So would tabletop games, this being a passionate advocate's mission. However, I must insist if I try to elbow in front just as with other single-minded supporters, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal stands as crucial and important of all. Here's the proposal: It's essential to create an award type for logic-based games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre isn't exact; opinions vary greatly, and it will always start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. There’s a reason film award organizations don’t do it. However, it represents an unavoidable compromise in the world of video games, showing incredible range they hardly constitute a single creative category.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of interactive entertainment excellence to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to have a chance for representation, specific award classifications remain vital.
Present Award Structure
Prominent interactive entertainment events offer these award types recognizing Action, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these award types effectively encompass many game types, and you can find room for most games within them.
Not so for puzzle games. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Consider three of this year’s best games, all very different: building puzzles from a specific release, the pulse-pounding block-matching from another release, thought-provoking social scenarios of a third title. Where could they possibly go between these six categories? Nowhere, that’s where.
The Representation Problem
Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly that have no home at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify for categories like Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, and the highly challenging independent game categories.
- One classic puzzle game received no recognition completely that year
- A different innovative game received no nominations during that ceremony
- Well-received sorting experience received no acknowledgment in 2021
- Just some puzzle games scraped into independent or mobile categories
Significance of Puzzle Games
Frequently they represent modest productions, but the art of the puzzle game holds tremendous importance. Famous handheld logic titles count as the most-played games globally and have been for many years.
The legendary block-stacking game rivals well-known building titles competing to become most purchased experience; it also contends for top gaming experience. Logic titles represent cornerstones for gaming as medium, while interacting with diverse game types.
The Solution and Justification
Puzzle games wouldn’t have such difficulty. You could fill five nominees engaging, different, qualified experiences each ceremony simply — or rather, with difficulty, since numerous excellent many worthy titles.
To emphasize again, these include experiences that otherwise have no home at major gaming awards. Brain-teaser creators are working at the challenging frontier interactive creation, developing some of essential manifestations of gaming itself. Just like movie stunt professionals, they merit acknowledgment. Don't make them wait decades.
