Each time a prominent awards ceremony approaches, one notices a clamor to include additional classifications to acknowledge underappreciated efforts and satisfy the passions of followers with niche passions.
My colleague previously argued supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. So would tabletop games, which is a dedicated supporter's campaign. However, I must insist if I try to elbow in front because like all dedicated enthusiasts, there's a strong justification backing this proposal remains most pressing and important of all. Here's the proposal: There should be a category for puzzle games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and typically start arguments concluding with vague boundaries. It's understandable that movie academies avoid this approach. However, it represents an essential concession for the industry of gaming, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute as a single art form.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of interactive entertainment excellence to receive acknowledgment, and to ensure all game types to compete fairly, classification by type becomes crucial.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events currently feature classifications covering Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these classifications actually cover a lot of ground, allowing placement accommodating various experiences.
Not so for puzzle games. No appropriate category exists to accommodate them. Think about these outstanding current releases, each quite distinct: the architectural riddles in a particular game, intense tile-matching in a different title, thought-provoking social scenarios of a third title. What category would fit them between these six categories? Simply put, no category fits.
The Representation Problem
There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly without proper recognition in entertainment awards, if they accidentally match classification types such as Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested independent game categories.
- An iconic brain-teaser wasn’t nominated completely in 2014
- Another imaginative release was excluded during that ceremony
- Well-received sorting experience received no acknowledgment recently
- Just some brain-teasers managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent small games, but the art of the puzzle game carries substantial weight. Famous handheld logic titles stand as most popular titles globally and have been for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges well-known building titles for the title of highest-selling title ever; it additionally competes for top gaming experience. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, and engaging with almost every other genre.
Recommendation and Reasoning
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter this problem. You could fill a field of five interesting, varied, worthy titles annually without trouble — actually, with challenge, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these include experiences without proper classification in important events. Logic title developers function at the demanding boundary of video game design, producing among the purest expressions within interactive entertainment. Just like cinema stunt performers, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait generations.
