As any significant awards ceremony approaches, there’s always an outcry for introducing of new categories to recognize overlooked contributions and satisfy the passions of followers dedicated to specific genres.
A fellow writer made the case advocating for terror-themed awards. That would be fantastic. The same goes for tabletop games, representing a passionate advocate's mission. However, I must insist if I try to elbow in front because like all dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument supporting my request remains most pressing and important of all. This is the request: There should be a category for puzzle games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre defies precise measurement; it remains highly personal, and inevitably generate discussions concluding with vague boundaries. It's understandable that movie academies avoid this approach. But it is an unavoidable compromise within the realm of interactive entertainment, which are so diverse they hardly constitute as a single art form.
To recognize the complete range of interactive entertainment excellence to receive acknowledgment, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, genre categories are essential.
Existing Game Classification System
Leading game ceremonies currently feature classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these six categories successfully include a lot of ground, making space possible accommodating various experiences.
Different situation exists for brain-teasing titles. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Consider three of outstanding current releases, showing diverse approaches: building puzzles of one title, intense tile-matching of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Which classification works among existing types? Unfortunately, nowhere.
The Representation Problem
Numerous examples exist of brilliant puzzle games released every year without proper recognition at major award shows, except when they manage to fit award groups including Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, and the highly challenging small studio competitions.
- One classic puzzle game received no recognition for anything during that awards season
- Another imaginative release missed out in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience was overlooked recently
- Limited numbers of logic titles managed to sneak into niche award types
Significance of Puzzle Games
These are often modest productions, yet the craft of the puzzle game is of massive significance. Well-known matching games rank among the most-played games globally continuing this trend for over a decade.
The legendary block-stacking game rivals popular creative games for the title of best-selling game of all time; it also contends for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones for gaming as medium, and they are in conversation across multiple categories.
The Solution and Justification
Puzzle games wouldn’t have that issue. One could readily select five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent numerous deserving experiences.
And to reiterate, these include experiences without proper classification in important events. Puzzle game makers function at the hard edge of video game design, creating some of the purest expressions of the video game form. Comparable to movie stunt professionals, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait decades.
