Whenever a major prize-giving event approaches, there’s always a clamor for the addition of new categories to recognize overlooked contributions and satisfy the hearts of fans who have specialized interests.
Another commentator has already made for a horror game category. It would be amazing. Equally deserving are strategy board titles, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me when I prioritize just as with other single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case backing this proposal stands as crucial above others. This is the request: There should be an award type for logic-based games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Categorizing art by genre isn't exact; opinions vary greatly, and inevitably generate discussions concluding with vague boundaries. There’s a reason film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. Yet it remains a necessary evil within the realm of gaming, which are so diverse it's challenging to consider them as a single art form.
For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and to ensure all game types to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital.
Current Gaming Award Categories
Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include classifications covering Action, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these classifications successfully include many game types, allowing placement accommodating various experiences.
This doesn't apply to logic-based experiences. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, all very different: building puzzles in a particular game, the pulse-pounding block-matching of another game, thought-provoking social scenarios from additional release. Which classification works within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games published annually lacking appropriate categories in entertainment awards, if they accidentally match for categories like Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.
- A renowned logic title received no recognition for anything during that awards season
- A different innovative game missed out during that ceremony
- Well-received sorting experience received no acknowledgment that year
- Limited numbers of brain-teasers managed to sneak into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent small games, but the art of the puzzle game is of massive significance. Well-known matching games rank among most popular titles in the world and have been for an extended period.
The iconic tile-matching title challenges famous sandbox experiences claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it additionally competes as greatest title ever. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks to the art of video games, while interacting across multiple categories.
The Solution and Justification
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter such difficulty. You could fill a field of five engaging, different, qualified experiences every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, given the need to exclude many worthy titles.
To emphasize again, these are games lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Brain-teaser creators operate at the challenging frontier of video game design, producing among the purest expressions of the video game form. Just like film action specialists, they merit acknowledgment. Let’s not keep them waiting 35 years.
