Whenever a major awards ceremony draws close, you'll find a clamor for introducing additional classifications to honor unsung work and delight the hearts of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.
Another commentator has already made advocating for terror-themed awards. That would be fantastic. So would board games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me for pushing forward because like all dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case supporting my request remains most pressing and important of all. This is the request: There should be a category for puzzle games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre is not a science; it remains highly personal, and it will always spark debates resulting in unclear classifications. There’s a reason movie academies avoid this approach. Yet it remains an unavoidable compromise within the realm of video games, showing incredible range they hardly constitute one unified medium.
For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to have a chance for representation, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
Leading game ceremonies offer these genre categories for Action, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these six categories actually cover numerous genres, allowing placement for most games within them.
Different situation exists for puzzle games. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Consider three of recent excellent titles, each quite distinct: the architectural riddles in a particular game, intense tile-matching from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. Where could they possibly go among existing types? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
Many instances occur outstanding logic titles published annually that have no home at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify classification types such as Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested independent game categories.
- An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition completely that year
- A different innovative game was excluded in 2019
- Popular arranging title received no acknowledgment that year
- Only a few brain-teasers managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories
Significance of Puzzle Games
These are often small games, but the art of the puzzle game carries substantial weight. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among the most-played games globally maintaining this status for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with well-known building titles claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation with diverse game types.
Proposal and Rationale
Puzzle games wouldn’t have that issue. You could fill a field of five engaging, different, qualified experiences every year with ease — or rather, with difficulty, given the need to exclude so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these represent titles without proper classification in important events. Puzzle game makers operate at the challenging frontier interactive creation, developing some of the purest expressions of the video game form. Comparable to cinema stunt performers, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait decades.
