Each time a major prize-giving event nears, you'll find a clamor to include fresh award types to acknowledge overlooked contributions and delight the spirits of enthusiasts with niche passions.
My colleague previously argued advocating for terror-themed awards. That would rule. The same goes for tabletop games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me for pushing forward because like all dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument supporting my request remains most pressing and significant. The demand is this: It's essential to create an award type for logic-based games.
Categorizing Game Types
Classifying creative works is not a science; it’s very subjective, and it will always generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. There’s a reason film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an essential concession for the industry of interactive entertainment, showing incredible range they barely qualify one unified medium.
To recognize the complete range of interactive entertainment excellence to gain proper attention, and for games of all stripes to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
The major gaming awards currently feature award types recognizing Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these six categories successfully include many game types, allowing placement for numerous titles.
This doesn't apply to puzzle games. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Consider three of outstanding current releases, all very different: structural challenges in a particular game, the pulse-pounding block-matching of another game, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. Where could they possibly go among existing types? Unfortunately, nowhere.
The Representation Problem
There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games published annually without proper recognition at major award shows, if they accidentally match award groups including Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, and the highly challenging small studio competitions.
- A renowned logic title got overlooked completely during that awards season
- A different innovative game received no nominations that year
- Popular arranging title got ignored in 2021
- Limited numbers of logic titles scraped into niche award types
Importance of Logic Titles
These are often compact experiences, yet the craft behind logic titles is of massive significance. Famous handheld logic titles stand as most popular titles in the world and have been for over a decade.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with well-known building titles competing to become most purchased experience; it also contends for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational for gaming as medium, and engaging with almost every other genre.
Proposal and Rationale
Puzzle games wouldn’t have such difficulty. You could fill multiple candidates interesting, varied, worthy titles annually without trouble — or rather, with difficulty, given the need to exclude numerous deserving experiences.
Restating the point, these are games that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers are working at the demanding boundary of video game design, producing among most fundamental forms of gaming itself. Just like film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait 35 years.
