Whenever a significant awards ceremony approaches, you'll find an outcry for introducing of new categories to acknowledge overlooked contributions and delight the passions of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
My colleague made the case for a horror game category. It would be amazing. The same goes for board games, representing a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance for pushing forward because like all single-minded supporters, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand remains most pressing and significant. Here's the proposal: We need a classification for brain-teasing titles.
Categorizing Game Types
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; it remains highly personal, and typically start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. It's understandable that film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. Yet it remains an essential concession within the realm of video games, which are so diverse it's challenging to consider them a single creative category.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to compete fairly, genre categories are essential.
Existing Game Classification System
The major gaming awards currently feature classifications covering Action, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these classifications actually cover a lot of ground, allowing placement accommodating various experiences.
Different situation exists for logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Consider three of recent excellent titles, all very different: structural challenges of one title, fast-paced pattern recognition in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Where could they possibly go between these six categories? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Recognition Challenges
There are dozens outstanding logic titles launched regularly lacking appropriate categories at major award shows, if they accidentally match classification types such as Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging independent game categories.
- One classic puzzle game got overlooked in any category during that awards season
- A different innovative game was excluded during that ceremony
- Popular arranging title got ignored in 2021
- Limited numbers of logic titles scraped into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
Commonly they're modest productions, however the design of the puzzle game carries substantial weight. Famous handheld logic titles rank among most engaged experiences worldwide continuing this trend for over a decade.
The famous puzzle experience challenges famous sandbox experiences for the title of best-selling game of all time; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation with diverse game types.
The Solution and Justification
Puzzle games wouldn’t have such difficulty. It would be easy to populate five nominees engaging, different, qualified experiences every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave numerous deserving experiences.
To emphasize again, these are games without proper classification during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers function at the demanding boundary game development, producing among most fundamental forms of the video game form. Just like cinema stunt performers, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting 35 years.
