Whenever a major honors show draws close, there’s always a clamor to include of new categories to recognize unsung work and fill the passions of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
My colleague has already made for a horror game category. That would be fantastic. The same goes for strategy board titles, this being a passionate advocate's mission. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, there's a strong justification backing this proposal is the most urgent above others. The demand is this: There should be a category for puzzle games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Classifying creative works isn't exact; opinions vary greatly, and inevitably generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. There’s a reason cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. But it is an essential concession in the world of gaming, showing incredible range they hardly constitute a single creative category.
For the full spectrum of interactive entertainment excellence to be recognized, and to ensure all game types to have a chance for representation, genre categories are essential.
Present Award Structure
The major gaming awards presently include classifications covering Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these award types successfully include many game types, allowing placement for numerous titles.
Not so for logic-based experiences. No appropriate category exists to put them. Think about these outstanding current releases, all very different: the architectural riddles in a particular game, intense tile-matching of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. Where could they possibly go within current classifications? Nowhere, that’s where.
Recognition Challenges
There are dozens outstanding logic titles launched regularly lacking appropriate categories in entertainment awards, unless they happen to qualify classification types such as Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive Indie races.
- A renowned logic title got overlooked completely during that awards season
- A different innovative game received no nominations that year
- Well-received sorting experience was overlooked recently
- Just some logic titles scraped into small studio or handheld classifications
Significance of Puzzle Games
Commonly they're small games, yet the craft behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Famous handheld logic titles stand as most popular titles worldwide and have been for over a decade.
The iconic tile-matching title challenges well-known building titles claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones for gaming as medium, while interacting with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. It would be easy to populate five nominees engaging, different, qualified experiences annually without trouble — actually, with challenge, given the need to exclude so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these include experiences lacking appropriate categories during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers are working at the hard edge interactive creation, producing among essential manifestations of gaming itself. Comparable to movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting 35 years.
