Each time a major awards ceremony nears, one notices a clamor to include additional classifications to recognize overlooked contributions and satisfy the spirits of followers with niche passions.
My colleague made the case advocating for terror-themed awards. It would be amazing. So would tabletop games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me for pushing forward because like all blinkered fanatics, I possess a compelling case supporting my request is the most urgent and important of all. The demand is this: We need a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and typically generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. This explains why cinema institutions don’t do it. But it is a necessary evil for the industry of interactive entertainment, which are so diverse they hardly constitute one unified medium.
For the full spectrum of achievement in video games to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.
Present Award Structure
Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these classifications effectively encompass many game types, making space possible for numerous titles.
Different situation exists for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears to put them. Examine these examples from outstanding current releases, showing diverse approaches: the architectural riddles from a specific release, fast-paced pattern recognition of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges from additional release. What category would fit them within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.
The Representation Problem
Numerous examples exist excellent brain-teasers released every year that have no home at major award shows, if they accidentally match award groups including Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested Indie races.
- A renowned logic title received no recognition for anything that year
- Another creative title missed out during that ceremony
- Well-received sorting experience received no acknowledgment that year
- Only a few brain-teasers managed to sneak into niche award types
Significance of Puzzle Games
Frequently they represent modest productions, yet the craft of the puzzle game carries substantial weight. Famous handheld logic titles stand as most popular titles worldwide and have been for over a decade.
The famous puzzle experience challenges famous sandbox experiences competing to become most purchased experience; it additionally competes for top gaming experience. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks within interactive entertainment, while interacting with almost every other genre.
Proposal and Rationale
Logic titles wouldn't face such difficulty. One could readily select multiple candidates with fascinating, diverse, deserving games every year with ease — actually, with challenge, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
Restating the point, these are games lacking appropriate categories in important events. Logic title developers operate at the hard edge interactive creation, developing some of most fundamental forms of the video game form. Just like cinema stunt performers, they deserve recognition. Let’s not keep them waiting 35 years.
