As any prominent honors show draws close, you'll find an outcry for the addition of new categories to honor unsung work and delight the spirits of fans dedicated to specific genres.
My colleague has already made advocating for terror-themed awards. That would rule. So would board games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. However, I must insist for pushing forward just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument supporting my request remains most pressing and significant. This is the request: We need an award type for logic-based games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Categorizing art by genre is not a science; it remains highly personal, and inevitably start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. There’s a reason movie academies steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an unavoidable compromise within the realm of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify 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, genre categories are essential.
Present Award Structure
The major gaming awards presently include genre categories for Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these award types actually cover many game types, and you can find room accommodating various experiences.
Different situation exists for logic-based experiences. There’s simply nowhere to accommodate them. Think about these this year’s best games, each quite distinct: structural challenges of one title, intense tile-matching from another release, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles of a third title. Where could they possibly go between these six categories? Nowhere, that’s where.
Recognition Challenges
Many instances occur outstanding logic titles released every year lacking appropriate categories during gaming ceremonies, if they accidentally match award groups including Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested independent game categories.
- A renowned logic title received no recognition completely that year
- Another creative title received no nominations in 2019
- A beloved organization game got ignored recently
- Limited numbers of puzzle games barely qualified for niche award types
Significance of Puzzle Games
Commonly they're modest productions, but the art in brain-teasers carries substantial weight. Famous handheld logic titles count as most popular titles in the world maintaining this status for many years.
The legendary block-stacking game rivals famous sandbox experiences for the title of 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 engaging across multiple categories.
The Solution and Justification
Puzzle games wouldn’t have this problem. One could readily select multiple candidates interesting, varied, worthy titles annually without trouble — actually, with challenge, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these are games without proper classification in important events. Puzzle game makers are working at the demanding boundary game development, producing among essential manifestations of gaming itself. Comparable to movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting 35 years.
