Each time a prominent awards ceremony draws close, there’s always an outcry to include of new categories to acknowledge underappreciated efforts and satisfy the passions of fans who have specialized interests.
A fellow writer previously argued advocating for terror-themed awards. That would be fantastic. Equally deserving are tabletop games, representing a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front because like all blinkered fanatics, there's a strong justification backing this proposal is the most urgent and significant. This is the request: There should be a classification for brain-teasing titles.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Organizing artistic expressions isn't exact; it’s very subjective, and inevitably generate discussions resulting in unclear classifications. This explains why film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an essential concession within the realm of gaming, which are so diverse they barely qualify one unified medium.
For the full spectrum of interactive entertainment excellence to gain proper attention, and to ensure all game types to have a chance for representation, classification by type becomes crucial.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events currently feature classifications covering Action, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these six categories effectively encompass many game types, and you can find room for numerous titles.
Different situation exists for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, all very different: structural challenges of one title, the pulse-pounding block-matching from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Where could they possibly go within current classifications? Nowhere, that’s where.
The Representation Problem
Numerous examples exist of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly lacking appropriate categories in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit for categories like Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive small studio competitions.
- One classic puzzle game got overlooked completely during that awards season
- A different innovative game missed out during that ceremony
- A beloved organization game got ignored recently
- Limited numbers of puzzle games barely qualified for niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often modest productions, however the design behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Iconic mobile puzzle games stand as most engaged experiences in the world maintaining this status for an extended period.
The iconic tile-matching title competes with well-known building titles competing to become most purchased experience; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational for gaming as medium, while interacting with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter that issue. It would be easy to populate five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games each ceremony simply — perhaps, with difficulty, given the need to exclude many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these represent titles that otherwise have no home in important events. Puzzle game makers operate at the hard edge game development, producing among most fundamental forms within interactive entertainment. Similar to film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait decades.
