Whenever a major prize-giving event approaches, one notices an outcry to include of new categories to acknowledge unsung work and fill the spirits of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
A fellow writer made the case advocating for terror-themed awards. That would be fantastic. Equally deserving are board games, this being a dedicated supporter's campaign. Yet I need to apologize in advance when I prioritize because like all dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case supporting my request is the most urgent and important of all. Here's the proposal: There should be an award type for logic-based games.
Categorizing Game Types
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; it remains highly personal, and inevitably spark debates resulting in unclear classifications. There’s a reason film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. But it is an unavoidable compromise for the industry of video games, showing incredible range it's challenging to consider them as a single art form.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, and for games of all stripes to receive proper recognition, classification by type becomes crucial.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events currently feature classifications covering Action, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these six categories actually cover many game types, making space possible for numerous titles.
This doesn't apply to logic-based experiences. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Consider three of outstanding current releases, all very different: the architectural riddles of one title, the pulse-pounding block-matching in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges from additional release. Where could they possibly go within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Recognition Challenges
There are dozens outstanding logic titles published annually lacking appropriate categories 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 completely that year
- Another creative title was excluded in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience was overlooked that year
- Limited numbers of brain-teasers managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories
Significance of Puzzle Games
Frequently they represent compact experiences, however the design of the puzzle game holds tremendous importance. Well-known matching games rank among the most-played games in the world maintaining this status for many years.
The famous puzzle experience challenges well-known building titles claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it also contends for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones for gaming as medium, while interacting with diverse game types.
Proposal and Rationale
Puzzle games wouldn’t have this problem. It would be easy to populate multiple candidates engaging, different, qualified experiences every year with ease — or rather, with difficulty, given the need to exclude many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these are games that otherwise have no home at major gaming awards. Logic title developers are working at the hard edge of video game design, developing some of the purest expressions of the video game form. Comparable to movie stunt professionals, they merit acknowledgment. We shouldn't delay 35 years.
