Whenever a major prize-giving event approaches, one notices a clamor for the addition additional classifications to honor unsung work and satisfy the passions of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
Another commentator has already made for a horror game category. That would be fantastic. The same goes for tabletop games, this being someone's personal cause. Yet I need to apologize in advance for pushing forward because like all blinkered fanatics, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal stands as crucial above others. Here's the proposal: It's essential to create an award type for logic-based games.
Categorizing Game Types
Organizing artistic expressions defies precise measurement; opinions vary greatly, and it will always start arguments concluding with vague boundaries. There’s a reason film award organizations don’t do it. Yet it remains a necessary evil within the realm of interactive entertainment, which are so diverse it's challenging to consider them as a single art form.
To recognize the complete range 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
Leading game ceremonies currently feature classifications covering Action, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these award types effectively encompass many game types, and you can find room for most games within them.
Different situation exists for brain-teasing titles. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, all very different: building puzzles of one title, intense tile-matching from another release, thought-provoking social scenarios from additional release. Which classification works within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
The Representation Problem
Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games released every year without proper recognition during gaming ceremonies, if they accidentally match classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, and the highly challenging small studio competitions.
- One classic puzzle game received no recognition completely during that awards season
- A different innovative game received no nominations during that ceremony
- A beloved organization game was overlooked that year
- Limited numbers of brain-teasers managed to sneak into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often small games, but the art behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among most engaged experiences globally continuing this trend for over a decade.
The famous puzzle experience rivals famous sandbox experiences claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, and they are in conversation with diverse game types.
Proposal and Rationale
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter that issue. You could fill five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — or rather, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these represent titles that otherwise have no home at major gaming awards. Brain-teaser creators function at the hard edge interactive creation, producing among essential manifestations of the video game form. Just like cinema stunt performers, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait 35 years.
