As any major prize-giving event nears, you'll find a clamor to include additional classifications to acknowledge underappreciated efforts and delight the spirits of fans who have specialized interests.
Another commentator made the case supporting a scary games classification. It would be amazing. So would board games, this being a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance when I prioritize because like all blinkered fanatics, I have a cast-iron argument supporting my request remains most pressing and significant. The demand is this: It's essential to create an award type for logic-based games.
Categorizing Game Types
Classifying creative works defies precise measurement; it remains highly personal, and inevitably spark debates concluding with vague boundaries. This explains why cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an essential concession within the realm of interactive entertainment, showing incredible range it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.
For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, specific award classifications remain vital.
Present Award Structure
The major gaming awards presently include award types recognizing Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these six categories actually cover numerous genres, making space possible accommodating various experiences.
Not so for logic-based experiences. No appropriate category exists to put them. Examine these examples from recent excellent titles, all very different: the architectural riddles from a specific release, fast-paced pattern recognition of another game, thought-provoking social scenarios from additional release. Where could they possibly go among existing types? Simply put, no category fits.
The Representation Problem
Many instances occur excellent brain-teasers released every year without proper recognition during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested independent game categories.
- A renowned logic title wasn’t nominated in any category in 2014
- A different innovative game received no nominations in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience received no acknowledgment in 2021
- Only a few brain-teasers managed to sneak into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
Commonly they're small games, yet the craft in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Famous handheld logic titles rank among the most-played games globally continuing this trend for over a decade.
The iconic tile-matching title rivals popular creative games claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation across multiple categories.
Recommendation and Reasoning
Puzzle games wouldn’t have that issue. You could fill five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent numerous deserving experiences.
Restating the point, these are games without proper classification in important events. Brain-teaser creators operate at the demanding boundary of video game design, developing some of the purest expressions within interactive entertainment. Similar to movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait decades.
