As any prominent prize-giving event draws close, you'll find an outcry to include additional classifications to acknowledge underappreciated efforts and satisfy the passions of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
Another commentator made the case for a horror game category. It would be amazing. So would strategy board titles, this being someone's personal cause. However, I must insist for pushing forward because like all single-minded supporters, there's a strong justification backing this proposal is the most urgent above others. This is the request: It's essential to create a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Classifying creative works isn't exact; it remains highly personal, and it will always start arguments and end in fuzzy definitions. There’s a reason film award organizations avoid this approach. However, it represents a necessary evil in the world of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify a single creative category.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of interactive entertainment excellence to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, genre categories are essential.
Current Gaming Award Categories
Leading game ceremonies currently feature genre categories for Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these award types actually cover many game types, allowing placement accommodating various experiences.
Not so for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears to put them. Think about these recent excellent titles, all very different: building puzzles from a specific release, the pulse-pounding block-matching from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges from additional release. Which classification works within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist of brilliant puzzle games released every year without proper recognition in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, and the highly challenging Indie races.
- One classic puzzle game got overlooked completely in 2014
- A different innovative game was excluded during that ceremony
- A beloved organization game received no acknowledgment that year
- Limited numbers of puzzle games managed to sneak into small studio or handheld classifications
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often modest productions, yet the craft of the puzzle game is of massive significance. Well-known matching games stand as most engaged experiences in the world maintaining this status for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges famous sandbox experiences competing to become best-selling game of all time; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational within interactive entertainment, and engaging across multiple categories.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. You could fill five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — actually, with challenge, since numerous excellent many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these include experiences that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers are working at the hard edge of video game design, developing some of essential manifestations within interactive entertainment. Just like cinema stunt performers, they warrant appreciation. We shouldn't delay decades.
