Each time a major prize-giving event draws close, one notices a clamor for the addition fresh award types to recognize overlooked contributions and satisfy the hearts of fans with niche passions.
Another commentator has already made advocating for terror-themed awards. It would be amazing. So would strategy board titles, representing someone's personal cause. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front because like all single-minded supporters, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal stands as crucial and important of all. This is the request: There should be a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; it’s very subjective, and it will always generate discussions concluding with vague boundaries. This explains why cinema institutions don’t do it. Yet it remains a necessary evil within the realm of video games, showing incredible range they barely qualify as a single art form.
To recognize the complete range of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, classification by type becomes crucial.
Current Gaming Award Categories
Leading game ceremonies offer these award types recognizing Action, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these award types effectively encompass numerous genres, allowing placement for numerous titles.
Not so for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears to put them. Think about these outstanding current releases, all very different: structural challenges of one title, the pulse-pounding block-matching of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges from additional release. What category would fit them within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games released every year that have no home at major award shows, except when they manage to fit award groups including Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested small studio competitions.
- One classic puzzle game received no recognition completely that year
- Another imaginative release missed out in 2019
- A beloved organization game was overlooked that year
- Limited numbers of logic titles managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories
Importance of Logic Titles
Frequently they represent modest productions, however the design of the puzzle game is of massive significance. Famous handheld logic titles count as the most-played games globally maintaining this status for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges well-known building titles claiming status as most purchased experience; it’s also in the running for top gaming experience. Logic titles represent cornerstones to the art of video games, and they are in conversation with diverse game types.
The Solution and Justification
Puzzle games wouldn’t have such difficulty. It would be easy to populate a field of five interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — perhaps, with difficulty, 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 function at the hard edge of video game design, creating some of the purest expressions within interactive entertainment. Just like movie stunt professionals, they merit acknowledgment. We shouldn't delay 35 years.