As any significant awards ceremony approaches, there’s always a demand for the addition fresh award types to recognize underappreciated efforts and satisfy the spirits of followers with niche passions.
Another commentator previously argued for a horror game category. That would rule. So would tabletop games, which is a passionate advocate's mission. However, I must insist when I prioritize because like all blinkered fanatics, I possess a compelling case supporting my request is the most urgent and important of all. This is the request: It's essential to create a category for puzzle games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Organizing artistic expressions isn't exact; opinions vary greatly, and typically start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. It's understandable that cinema institutions avoid this approach. But it is an unavoidable compromise for the industry of gaming, that demonstrate such variety it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, classification by type becomes crucial.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events currently feature genre categories for Action, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these six categories effectively encompass numerous genres, and you can find room for numerous titles.
Different situation exists for puzzle games. There’s simply nowhere to accommodate them. Consider three of this year’s best games, all very different: the architectural riddles of one title, the pulse-pounding block-matching in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. What category would fit them among existing types? Nowhere, that’s where.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist outstanding logic titles launched regularly without proper recognition during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify classification types such as Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested small studio competitions.
- A renowned logic title got overlooked in any category that year
- A different innovative game was excluded that year
- Well-received sorting experience was overlooked recently
- Only a few brain-teasers managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories
Significance of Puzzle Games
These are often small games, yet the craft in brain-teasers is of massive significance. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among most popular titles globally maintaining this status for many years.
The iconic tile-matching title challenges popular creative games competing to become most purchased experience; it’s also in the running as greatest title ever. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, and engaging with almost every other genre.
Proposal and Rationale
Puzzle games wouldn’t have such difficulty. You could fill five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent many worthy titles.
To emphasize again, these are games that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers operate at the challenging frontier game development, producing among essential manifestations of gaming itself. Comparable to cinema stunt performers, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait decades.
