Whenever a prominent prize-giving event draws close, one notices an outcry to include additional classifications to recognize unsung work and satisfy the passions of enthusiasts with niche passions.
My colleague previously argued supporting a scary games classification. That would be fantastic. Equally deserving are strategy board titles, this being a dedicated supporter's campaign. Yet I need to apologize in advance when I prioritize just as with other blinkered fanatics, I possess a compelling case backing this proposal stands as crucial and important of all. Here's the proposal: We need a classification for brain-teasing titles.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre is not a science; it remains highly personal, and typically spark debates and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that film award organizations avoid this approach. Yet it remains an unavoidable compromise within the realm of interactive entertainment, showing incredible range they hardly constitute as a single art form.
To recognize the complete range of achievement in video games to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.
Present Award Structure
Leading game ceremonies presently include genre categories for Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these classifications actually cover a lot of ground, making space possible for most games within them.
This doesn't apply to puzzle games. No suitable classification appears to put them. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, all very different: structural challenges from a specific release, the pulse-pounding block-matching from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Which classification works among existing types? Nowhere, that’s where.
Recognition Challenges
There are dozens outstanding logic titles released every year without proper recognition at major award shows, if they accidentally match classification types such as Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.
- A renowned logic title received no recognition completely in 2014
- A different innovative game missed out in 2019
- Popular arranging title was overlooked recently
- Only a few puzzle games scraped into small studio or handheld classifications
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often compact experiences, but the art of the puzzle game carries substantial weight. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among most popular titles in the world continuing this trend for over a decade.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges well-known building titles claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it’s also in the running as greatest title ever. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, and engaging with diverse game types.
Proposal and Rationale
Puzzle games wouldn’t have this problem. One could readily select multiple candidates engaging, different, qualified experiences annually without trouble — or rather, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
Restating the point, these are games that otherwise have no home at major gaming awards. Brain-teaser creators are working at the hard edge of video game design, developing some of the purest expressions within interactive entertainment. Similar to movie stunt professionals, they deserve recognition. We shouldn't delay decades.
