Each time a prominent prize-giving event nears, there’s always an outcry to include additional classifications to honor unsung work and delight the spirits of enthusiasts with niche passions.
A fellow writer has already made advocating for terror-themed awards. That would rule. So would strategy board titles, this being a dedicated supporter's campaign. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front since similar to blinkered fanatics, I possess a compelling case supporting my request remains most pressing above others. Here's the proposal: We need an award type for logic-based games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre defies precise measurement; opinions vary greatly, and it will always generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. But it is a necessary evil for the industry of video games, which are so diverse it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of achievement in video games to receive acknowledgment, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include classifications covering Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these classifications actually cover many game types, allowing placement for most games within them.
Not so for logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Consider three of recent excellent titles, showing diverse approaches: building puzzles of one title, intense tile-matching of another game, thought-provoking social scenarios from additional release. Which classification works among existing types? Simply put, no category fits.
The Representation Problem
There are dozens outstanding logic titles launched regularly that have no home in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit for categories like Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested independent game categories.
- An iconic brain-teaser got overlooked for anything in 2014
- Another creative title missed out that year
- Popular arranging title was overlooked recently
- Just some puzzle games managed to sneak into small studio or handheld classifications
Significance of Puzzle Games
These are often modest productions, however the design behind logic titles is of massive significance. Iconic mobile puzzle games stand as the most-played games in the world maintaining this status for over a decade.
The iconic tile-matching title challenges well-known building titles claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it’s also in the running for top gaming experience. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks for gaming as medium, and they are in conversation across multiple categories.
Proposal and Rationale
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter that issue. It would be easy to populate multiple candidates with fascinating, diverse, deserving games annually without trouble — actually, with challenge, given the need to exclude so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these are games lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Puzzle game makers function at the demanding boundary interactive creation, developing some of essential manifestations within interactive entertainment. Comparable to cinema stunt performers, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait 35 years.
