Whenever a major honors show nears, you'll find a clamor for introducing additional classifications to honor underappreciated efforts and delight the hearts of fans who have specialized interests.
Another commentator previously argued for a horror game category. It would be amazing. Equally deserving are tabletop games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me when I prioritize since similar to blinkered fanatics, I possess a compelling case supporting my request is the most urgent above others. This is the request: There should be an award type for logic-based games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre isn't exact; it remains highly personal, and typically generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. This explains why film award organizations avoid this approach. Yet it remains an unavoidable compromise within the realm of video games, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute as a single art form.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these award types successfully include many game types, allowing placement accommodating various experiences.
Different situation exists for brain-teasing titles. There’s simply nowhere for their placement. Examine these examples from recent excellent titles, showing diverse approaches: the architectural riddles of one title, intense tile-matching of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. Where could they possibly go between these six categories? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
There are dozens excellent brain-teasers released every year that have no home at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify award groups including Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.
- A renowned logic title wasn’t nominated for anything that year
- A different innovative game was excluded in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience got ignored recently
- Only a few puzzle games barely qualified for independent or mobile categories
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent modest productions, but the art of the puzzle game is of massive significance. Well-known matching games count as most popular titles worldwide and have been for over a decade.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with well-known building titles claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, and they are in conversation with diverse game types.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face such difficulty. One could readily select a field of five interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — or rather, with difficulty, since numerous excellent so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these are games that otherwise have no home in important events. Logic title developers are working at the demanding boundary interactive creation, producing among most fundamental forms of the video game form. Comparable to film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait 35 years.
