As any significant awards ceremony nears, there’s always a demand for introducing additional classifications to honor unsung work and delight the spirits of followers dedicated to specific genres.
A fellow writer made the case supporting a scary games classification. That would be fantastic. Equally deserving are board games, which is a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me for pushing forward because like all blinkered fanatics, there's a strong justification backing this proposal is the most urgent above others. The demand is this: 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 typically spark debates concluding with vague boundaries. It's understandable that cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. Yet it remains a necessary evil within the realm of video games, which are so diverse it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.
To recognize the complete range of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, while allowing diverse titles to have a chance for representation, classification by type becomes crucial.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events currently feature genre categories for Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these classifications effectively encompass a lot of ground, and you can find room accommodating various experiences.
Different situation exists for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears to put them. Consider three of recent excellent titles, each quite distinct: structural challenges in a particular game, the pulse-pounding block-matching of another game, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles of a third title. Which classification works among existing types? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist of brilliant puzzle games published annually without proper recognition during gaming ceremonies, except when they manage to fit classification types such as Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested small studio competitions.
- An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition in any category during that awards season
- Another imaginative release missed out in 2019
- A beloved organization game was overlooked recently
- Only a few brain-teasers managed to sneak into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often compact experiences, however the design behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Famous handheld logic titles stand as most popular titles globally and have been for many years.
The iconic tile-matching title challenges famous sandbox experiences claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones to the art of video games, while interacting with diverse game types.
Proposal and Rationale
Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. One could readily select five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — actually, with challenge, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
Restating the point, these are games lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Puzzle game makers are working at the hard edge game development, producing among the purest expressions within interactive entertainment. Just like film action specialists, they merit acknowledgment. We shouldn't delay decades.
