As any major prize-giving event draws close, you'll find an outcry to include of new categories to acknowledge overlooked contributions and satisfy the spirits of fans dedicated to specific genres.
A fellow writer made the case for a horror game category. It would be amazing. Equally deserving are board games, which is a passionate advocate's mission. However, I must insist for pushing forward just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand remains most pressing above others. This is the request: We need an award type for logic-based games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Classifying creative works defies precise measurement; it remains highly personal, and it will always spark debates concluding with vague boundaries. There’s a reason film award organizations avoid this approach. Yet it remains an unavoidable compromise for the industry of gaming, which are so diverse they hardly constitute a single creative category.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of achievement in video games to gain proper attention, while allowing diverse titles to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital.
Current Gaming Award Categories
Leading game ceremonies presently include genre categories for Action, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these award types actually cover a lot of ground, and you can find room for most games within them.
This doesn't apply to brain-teasing titles. No suitable classification appears to put them. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, showing diverse approaches: structural challenges in a particular game, intense tile-matching of another game, thought-provoking social scenarios of a third title. Which classification works within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist excellent brain-teasers launched regularly that have no home at major award shows, if they accidentally match award groups including Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.
- A renowned logic title received no recognition completely in 2014
- A different innovative game missed out in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience got ignored recently
- Only a few logic titles managed to sneak into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
Commonly they're small games, however the design behind logic titles is of massive significance. Iconic mobile puzzle games stand as the most-played games in the world continuing this trend for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with well-known building titles for the title of highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running for top gaming experience. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks to the art of video games, and engaging with diverse game types.
The Solution and Justification
Puzzle games wouldn’t have that issue. You could fill multiple candidates interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent many worthy titles.
And to reiterate, these are games without proper classification at major gaming awards. Logic title developers operate at the hard edge interactive creation, producing among essential manifestations of gaming itself. Similar to film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. We shouldn't delay 35 years.
