As any prominent awards ceremony nears, one notices a demand to include of new categories to recognize overlooked contributions and delight the passions of enthusiasts with niche passions.
Another commentator previously argued for a horror game category. That would rule. Equally deserving are tabletop games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me for pushing forward since similar to single-minded supporters, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand remains most pressing and important of all. Here's the proposal: There should be an award type for logic-based games.
Categorizing Game Types
Categorizing art by genre defies precise measurement; it remains highly personal, and typically start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. This explains why film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. But it is an essential concession within the realm of interactive entertainment, showing incredible range they hardly constitute one unified medium.
For the full spectrum of achievement in video games to gain proper attention, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, classification by type becomes crucial.
Existing Game Classification System
The major gaming awards currently feature genre categories for Action, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these six categories effectively encompass numerous genres, and you can find room accommodating various experiences.
Different situation exists for logic-based experiences. No appropriate category exists to put them. Consider three of recent excellent titles, showing diverse approaches: structural challenges in a particular game, the pulse-pounding block-matching in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Which classification works within current classifications? Nowhere, that’s where.
The Representation Problem
Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games released every year lacking appropriate categories in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit award groups including Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive small studio competitions.
- One classic puzzle game got overlooked in any category that year
- Another imaginative release received no nominations in 2019
- A beloved organization game received no acknowledgment recently
- Only a few puzzle games managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories
Significance of Puzzle Games
These are often small games, however the design in brain-teasers is of massive significance. Famous handheld logic titles count as most engaged experiences worldwide and have been for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges popular creative games competing to become 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 across multiple categories.
Proposal and Rationale
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter that issue. It would be easy to populate a field of five engaging, different, qualified experiences each ceremony simply — actually, with challenge, given the need to exclude many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these include experiences that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Brain-teaser creators operate at the demanding boundary of video game design, creating some of most fundamental forms within interactive entertainment. Comparable to film action specialists, they merit acknowledgment. Let’s not keep them waiting decades.
