Each time a significant prize-giving event nears, there’s always an outcry for introducing additional classifications to acknowledge overlooked contributions and satisfy the passions of enthusiasts with niche passions.
Another commentator has already made for a horror game category. That would rule. Equally deserving are board games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. However, I must insist if I try to elbow in front just as with other blinkered fanatics, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal remains most pressing above others. The demand is this: We need a classification for brain-teasing titles.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; it’s very subjective, and inevitably start arguments concluding with vague boundaries. It's understandable that film award organizations avoid this approach. Yet it remains a necessary evil in the world of interactive entertainment, which are so diverse they barely qualify a single creative category.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, specific award classifications remain vital.
Current Gaming Award Categories
The major gaming awards offer these genre categories for Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these classifications effectively encompass numerous genres, allowing placement for numerous titles.
Different situation exists for brain-teasing titles. There’s simply nowhere to accommodate them. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, all very different: the architectural riddles of one title, the pulse-pounding block-matching from another release, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles of a third title. Which classification works between these six categories? Simply put, no category fits.
The Representation Problem
There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games released every year lacking appropriate categories at major award shows, if they accidentally match classification types such as Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested independent game categories.
- A renowned logic title got overlooked for anything that year
- Another imaginative release was excluded that year
- A beloved organization game received no acknowledgment that year
- Just some logic titles scraped into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often compact experiences, however the design behind logic titles is of massive significance. Well-known matching games rank among most engaged experiences worldwide continuing this trend for many years.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges popular creative games competing to become highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, and they are in conversation with diverse game types.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. One could readily select multiple candidates interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — actually, with challenge, given the need to exclude so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these include experiences that otherwise have no home at major gaming awards. Puzzle game makers function at the demanding boundary game development, creating some of essential manifestations within interactive entertainment. Just like cinema stunt performers, they warrant appreciation. We shouldn't delay 35 years.
