Each time a significant prize-giving event nears, you'll find a clamor to include fresh award types to honor overlooked contributions and fill the hearts of followers dedicated to specific genres.
My colleague previously argued for a horror game category. That would rule. So would tabletop games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front since similar to single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case backing this proposal remains most pressing and significant. This is the request: We need a category for puzzle games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and inevitably start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. There’s a reason cinema institutions don’t do it. However, it represents a necessary evil within the realm of gaming, showing incredible range it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.
To recognize the complete range of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, and to ensure all game types to compete fairly, genre categories are essential.
Present Award Structure
Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these six categories successfully include a lot of ground, making space possible accommodating various experiences.
Not so for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears 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 of a third title. Where could they possibly go between these six categories? Unfortunately, nowhere.
The Representation Problem
Many instances occur excellent brain-teasers launched regularly without proper recognition during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify for categories like Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive Indie races.
- One classic puzzle game wasn’t nominated for anything that year
- A different innovative game was excluded during that ceremony
- A beloved organization game got ignored that year
- Just some logic titles managed to sneak into niche award types
Significance of Puzzle Games
Frequently they represent small games, however the design of the puzzle game carries substantial weight. Famous handheld logic titles count as most popular titles in the world continuing this trend for many years.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges famous sandbox experiences claiming status as most purchased experience; it’s also in the running for top gaming experience. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks to the art of video games, and engaging with diverse game types.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. One could readily select five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles annually without trouble — 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 in important events. Puzzle game makers operate at the challenging frontier interactive creation, creating some of the purest expressions within interactive entertainment. Comparable to cinema stunt performers, they deserve recognition. We shouldn't delay generations.
