Whenever a major prize-giving event nears, one notices a demand for the addition additional classifications to honor unsung work and delight the passions of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
A fellow writer made the case for a horror game category. That would be fantastic. So would tabletop games, which is a passionate advocate's mission. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front because like all dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case for why my demand stands as crucial above others. Here's the proposal: We need a classification for brain-teasing titles.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and typically start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. This explains why film award organizations don’t do it. However, it represents an unavoidable compromise for the industry of video games, showing incredible range they hardly constitute a single creative category.
For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to receive acknowledgment, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, classification by type becomes crucial.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these classifications successfully include numerous genres, and you can find room for most games within them.
Different situation exists for brain-teasing titles. There’s simply nowhere to accommodate them. Think about these recent excellent titles, all very different: the architectural riddles in a particular game, fast-paced pattern recognition in a different title, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. What category would fit them between these six categories? Nowhere, that’s where.
The Representation Problem
Numerous examples exist excellent brain-teasers launched regularly that have no home during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify for categories like Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive Indie races.
- An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition completely that year
- A different innovative game was excluded in 2019
- A beloved organization game got ignored that year
- Only a few logic titles barely qualified for independent or mobile categories
Significance of Puzzle Games
Frequently they represent compact experiences, however the design behind logic titles is of massive significance. Well-known matching games rank among most popular titles globally and have been for over a decade.
The iconic tile-matching title competes with well-known building titles competing to become highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks to the art of video games, and they are in conversation with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. One could readily select a field of five with fascinating, diverse, deserving games each ceremony simply — or rather, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
To emphasize again, these represent titles that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers function at the challenging frontier interactive creation, creating some of essential manifestations of gaming itself. Similar to cinema stunt performers, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait 35 years.
