As any significant awards ceremony approaches, one notices an outcry for introducing additional classifications to recognize underappreciated efforts and fill the spirits of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.
A fellow writer has already made for a horror game category. That would be fantastic. The same goes for board games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me for pushing forward just as with other single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case backing this proposal remains most pressing and important of all. This is the request: There should be a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Categorizing art by genre defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and inevitably spark debates and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that movie academies steer clear of genre categories. Yet it remains an unavoidable compromise within the realm of interactive entertainment, which are so diverse it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, genre categories are essential.
Existing Game Classification System
The major gaming awards offer these classifications covering Action, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these six categories effectively encompass numerous genres, and you can find room accommodating various experiences.
Not so for brain-teasing titles. No suitable classification appears to put them. Consider three of this year’s best games, each quite distinct: building puzzles in a particular game, intense tile-matching of another game, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. Which classification works between these six categories? Nowhere, that’s where.
The Representation Problem
Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games released every year without proper recognition at major award shows, if they accidentally match classification types such as Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging Indie races.
- One classic puzzle game got overlooked in any category in 2014
- A different innovative game missed out that year
- Well-received sorting experience was overlooked in 2021
- Only a few logic titles barely qualified for niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often small games, but the art behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Well-known matching games count as most popular titles worldwide continuing this trend for over a decade.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with well-known building titles competing to become most purchased experience; it additionally competes for top gaming experience. Logic titles represent cornerstones for gaming as medium, and engaging with diverse game types.
Proposal and Rationale
Puzzle games wouldn’t have this problem. You could fill five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — or rather, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
To emphasize again, these are games that otherwise have no home in important events. Brain-teaser creators function at the demanding boundary game development, producing among the purest expressions of gaming itself. Similar to film action specialists, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait generations.
