Whenever a prominent prize-giving event approaches, one notices a demand for the addition additional classifications to acknowledge unsung work and delight the hearts of fans with niche passions.
My colleague made the case supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. Equally deserving are tabletop games, representing a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front because like all dedicated enthusiasts, there's a strong justification backing this proposal remains most pressing and important of all. This is the request: We need a classification for brain-teasing titles.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Classifying creative works is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and inevitably start arguments concluding with vague boundaries. This explains why cinema institutions don’t do it. But it is an unavoidable compromise in the world of gaming, showing incredible range they hardly constitute as a single art form.
For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital.
Present Award Structure
The major gaming awards offer these award types recognizing Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these classifications successfully include a lot of ground, allowing placement for numerous titles.
Not so for logic-based experiences. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Examine these examples from recent excellent titles, all very different: building puzzles from a specific release, intense tile-matching from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Where could they possibly go among existing types? Unfortunately, nowhere.
The Representation Problem
There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly lacking appropriate categories at major award shows, if they accidentally match for categories like Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging small studio competitions.
- A renowned logic title got overlooked in any category in 2014
- A different innovative game received no nominations in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience got ignored in 2021
- Limited numbers of logic titles managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories
Significance of Puzzle Games
Commonly they're modest productions, but the art behind logic titles is of massive significance. Well-known matching games rank among most engaged experiences worldwide continuing this trend for over a decade.
The iconic tile-matching title competes with famous sandbox experiences claiming status as most purchased experience; it also contends for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, and they are in conversation across multiple categories.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face such difficulty. It would be easy to populate five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these represent titles that otherwise have no home at major gaming awards. Puzzle game makers are working at the hard edge interactive creation, creating some of the purest expressions of the video game form. Similar to movie stunt professionals, they merit acknowledgment. Don't make them wait 35 years.
