As any major awards ceremony nears, one notices a clamor for introducing additional classifications to recognize overlooked contributions and delight the spirits of enthusiasts with niche passions.
A fellow writer made the case for a horror game category. It would be amazing. Equally deserving are board games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front because like all dedicated enthusiasts, there's a strong justification supporting my request remains most pressing and significant. Here's the proposal: There should be an award type for logic-based games.
Categorizing Game Types
Classifying creative works isn't exact; it remains highly personal, and typically generate discussions concluding with vague boundaries. There’s a reason film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents a necessary evil within the realm of gaming, that demonstrate such variety it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.
To recognize the complete range of gaming accomplishments to receive acknowledgment, and for games of all stripes to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital.
Present Award Structure
The major gaming awards currently feature award types recognizing Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these classifications effectively encompass a lot of ground, allowing placement for most games within them.
Not so for logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Consider three of outstanding current releases, all very different: structural challenges of one title, the pulse-pounding block-matching from another release, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. Which classification works within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist excellent brain-teasers published annually without proper recognition in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested Indie races.
- An iconic brain-teaser got overlooked in any category that year
- A different innovative game received no nominations in 2019
- A beloved organization game received no acknowledgment that year
- Limited numbers of puzzle games barely qualified for independent or mobile categories
Significance of Puzzle Games
These are often small games, however the design of the puzzle game holds tremendous importance. Famous handheld logic titles rank among most engaged experiences globally maintaining this status for an extended period.
The famous puzzle experience challenges famous sandbox experiences competing to become highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks to the art of video games, and they are in conversation with diverse game types.
Proposal and Rationale
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter this problem. You could fill five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, given the need to exclude many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these include experiences without proper classification during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers are working at the hard edge interactive creation, creating some of most fundamental forms within interactive entertainment. Similar to movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting generations.
