Each time a major honors show approaches, there’s always an outcry for introducing fresh award types to acknowledge unsung work and fill the hearts of enthusiasts with niche passions.
My colleague previously argued supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. So would strategy board titles, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case supporting my request stands as crucial and important of all. The demand is this: There should be a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Classifying creative works is not a science; it’s very subjective, and typically generate discussions concluding with vague boundaries. This explains why movie academies don’t do it. But it is a necessary evil for the industry of video games, showing incredible range they barely qualify one unified medium.
For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and to ensure all game types to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.
Current Gaming Award Categories
The major gaming awards presently include classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these award types effectively encompass numerous genres, and you can find room for numerous titles.
Different situation exists for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Examine these examples from recent excellent titles, showing diverse approaches: structural challenges in a particular game, fast-paced pattern recognition from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Which classification works among existing types? Nowhere, that’s where.
Recognition Challenges
Many instances occur excellent brain-teasers released every year lacking appropriate categories at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify award groups including Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested small studio competitions.
- An iconic brain-teaser wasn’t nominated completely in 2014
- Another creative title was excluded in 2019
- A beloved organization game got ignored recently
- Only a few logic titles barely qualified for independent or mobile categories
Importance of Logic Titles
Frequently they represent modest productions, however the design behind logic titles holds tremendous importance. Famous handheld logic titles count as the most-played games globally maintaining this status for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with popular creative games competing to become most purchased experience; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones to the art of video games, while interacting across multiple categories.
Recommendation and Reasoning
Puzzle games wouldn’t have such difficulty. You could fill five nominees engaging, different, qualified experiences every year with ease — or rather, with difficulty, since numerous excellent numerous deserving experiences.
To emphasize again, these represent titles without proper classification at major gaming awards. Logic title developers are working at the challenging frontier of video game design, developing some of essential manifestations of the video game form. Comparable to movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait generations.