As any prominent honors show nears, one notices an outcry for the addition fresh award types to recognize underappreciated efforts and fill the passions of fans who have specialized interests.
A fellow writer made the case for a horror game category. That would rule. The same goes for tabletop games, this being a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance for pushing forward because like all dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case supporting my request stands as crucial and important of all. This is the request: There should be a category for puzzle games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Categorizing art by genre defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and inevitably spark debates resulting in unclear classifications. There’s a reason cinema institutions don’t do it. But it is a necessary evil for the industry of gaming, which are so diverse they barely qualify a single creative category.
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
Leading game ceremonies presently include award types recognizing Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these six categories effectively encompass many game types, allowing placement accommodating various experiences.
Different situation exists for logic-based experiences. No appropriate category exists for their placement. Examine these examples from outstanding current releases, each quite distinct: the architectural riddles of one title, intense tile-matching from another release, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles from additional release. Where could they possibly go among existing types? Nowhere, that’s where.
The Representation Problem
Numerous examples exist excellent brain-teasers released every year that have no home at major award shows, if they accidentally match for categories like Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive Indie races.
- One classic puzzle game received no recognition completely in 2014
- A different innovative game was excluded during that ceremony
- Well-received sorting experience was overlooked that year
- Limited numbers of brain-teasers scraped into independent or mobile categories
Value of Brain-Teasers
Commonly they're modest productions, but the art in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games count as most popular titles in the world continuing this trend for over a decade.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges well-known building titles for the title of 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 almost every other genre.
Proposal and Rationale
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter that issue. You could fill multiple candidates engaging, different, qualified experiences each ceremony simply — or rather, with difficulty, since numerous excellent so many good games out.
To emphasize again, these include experiences without proper classification at major gaming awards. Puzzle game makers operate at the challenging frontier interactive creation, creating some of most fundamental forms of the video game form. Just like movie stunt professionals, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait generations.