Each time a major awards ceremony approaches, you'll find a demand for introducing additional classifications to recognize unsung work and satisfy the passions of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.
My colleague previously argued for a horror game category. It would be amazing. The same goes for board games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. Yet I need to apologize in advance when I prioritize since similar to blinkered fanatics, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal is the most urgent and important of all. The demand is this: We need a classification for brain-teasing titles.
Categorizing Game Types
Organizing artistic expressions defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and typically generate discussions concluding with vague boundaries. There’s a reason movie academies avoid this approach. However, it represents an unavoidable compromise within the realm of video games, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute a single creative category.
For the full spectrum of achievement in video games to receive acknowledgment, and for games of all stripes to receive proper recognition, genre categories are essential.
Present Award Structure
Prominent interactive entertainment events offer these genre categories for Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these six categories actually cover numerous genres, making space possible for most games within them.
Different situation exists for brain-teasing titles. No suitable classification appears to put them. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, all very different: structural challenges of one title, fast-paced pattern recognition of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges from additional release. Where could they possibly go between these six categories? Simply put, no category fits.
Acknowledgment Issues
Many instances occur outstanding logic titles launched regularly lacking appropriate categories during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify classification types such as Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested Indie races.
- One classic puzzle game received no recognition in any category in 2014
- Another creative title missed out that year
- Well-received sorting experience received no acknowledgment that year
- Only a few puzzle games managed to sneak into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often small games, however the design in brain-teasers is of massive significance. Iconic mobile puzzle games count as most popular titles in the world and have been for many years.
The famous puzzle experience rivals popular creative games competing to become highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running as greatest title ever. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, and they are in conversation across multiple categories.
Recommendation and Reasoning
Puzzle games wouldn’t have such difficulty. You could fill five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these are games lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Logic title developers function at the demanding boundary game development, developing some of the purest expressions within interactive entertainment. Comparable to movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait 35 years.