As any prominent prize-giving event nears, you'll find a demand for the addition of new categories to honor underappreciated efforts and fill the spirits of enthusiasts with niche passions.
Another commentator previously argued advocating for terror-themed awards. That would rule. So would tabletop games, this being a dedicated supporter's campaign. However, I must insist if I try to elbow in front because like all single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case for why my demand remains most pressing and significant. Here's the proposal: We need an award type for logic-based games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Classifying creative works is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and typically generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that movie academies avoid this approach. Yet it remains an unavoidable compromise within the realm of interactive entertainment, which are so diverse it's challenging to consider them a single creative category.
To recognize the complete range of interactive entertainment excellence to gain proper attention, and to ensure all game types to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.
Present Award Structure
The major gaming awards offer these classifications covering Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these award types effectively encompass many game types, allowing placement for numerous titles.
Different situation exists for puzzle games. There’s simply nowhere for their placement. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, showing diverse approaches: the architectural riddles of one title, intense tile-matching from another release, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. Which classification works between these six categories? Nowhere, that’s where.
Acknowledgment Issues
There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games published annually lacking appropriate categories at major award shows, except when they manage to fit for categories like Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, and the highly challenging small studio competitions.
- An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition for anything in 2014
- Another imaginative release missed out in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience got ignored in 2021
- Limited numbers of logic titles barely qualified for niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often compact experiences, yet the craft in brain-teasers is of massive significance. Well-known matching games stand as the most-played games worldwide continuing this trend for an extended period.
The iconic tile-matching title rivals popular creative games claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it additionally competes as greatest title ever. Puzzle games are foundational for gaming as medium, and engaging across multiple categories.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. One could readily select five nominees engaging, different, qualified experiences annually without trouble — actually, with challenge, given the need to exclude many worthy titles.
And to reiterate, these are games that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers are working at the demanding boundary game development, producing among most fundamental forms of the video game form. Just like movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting 35 years.
