Whenever a prominent awards ceremony draws close, there’s always a clamor to include additional classifications to acknowledge underappreciated efforts and delight the spirits of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.
Another commentator previously argued advocating for terror-themed awards. It would be amazing. So would tabletop games, this being a passionate advocate's mission. But they will have to forgive me when I prioritize just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand stands as crucial and significant. This is the request: There should be an award type for logic-based games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre isn't exact; it remains highly personal, and typically generate discussions concluding with vague boundaries. It's understandable that movie academies don’t do it. But it is an unavoidable compromise within the realm of gaming, which are so diverse it's challenging to consider them as a single art form.
To recognize the complete range of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, genre categories are essential.
Existing Game Classification System
The major gaming awards offer these genre categories for Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these award types actually cover many game types, and you can find room for numerous titles.
Not so for brain-teasing titles. No appropriate category exists to accommodate them. Examine these examples from recent excellent titles, each quite distinct: structural challenges from a specific release, fast-paced pattern recognition of another game, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. What category would fit them among existing types? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist excellent brain-teasers launched regularly lacking appropriate categories at major award shows, if they accidentally match classification types such as Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested independent game categories.
- One classic puzzle game wasn’t nominated completely during that awards season
- Another creative title missed out that year
- A beloved organization game got ignored that year
- Only a few logic titles managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent compact experiences, however the design in brain-teasers carries substantial weight. Famous handheld logic titles stand as the most-played games in the world and have been for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges well-known building titles for the title of highest-selling title ever; it also contends for top gaming experience. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks to the art of video games, while interacting across multiple categories.
The Solution and Justification
Puzzle games wouldn’t have that issue. It would be easy to populate a field of five with fascinating, diverse, deserving games annually without trouble — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent numerous deserving experiences.
And to reiterate, these include experiences that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers are working at the hard edge interactive creation, producing among the purest expressions of gaming itself. Similar to film action specialists, they merit acknowledgment. Don't make them wait generations.
