Each time a major prize-giving event draws close, you'll find a clamor for the addition additional classifications to acknowledge overlooked contributions and delight the spirits of fans who have specialized interests.
My colleague previously argued advocating for terror-themed awards. That would be fantastic. So would tabletop games, which is someone's personal cause. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front because like all single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case backing this proposal stands as crucial and important of all. The demand is this: We need an award type for logic-based games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre is not a science; it’s very subjective, and it will always spark debates concluding with vague boundaries. It's understandable that cinema institutions don’t do it. However, it represents a necessary evil within the realm of gaming, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute as a single art form.
To recognize the complete range of achievement in video games to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital.
Present Award Structure
Leading game ceremonies presently include award types recognizing Action, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these award types effectively encompass many game types, and you can find room for most games within them.
This doesn't apply to brain-teasing titles. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Consider three of this year’s best games, all very different: building puzzles from a specific release, fast-paced pattern recognition in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Where could they possibly go among existing types? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Acknowledgment Issues
Many instances occur outstanding logic titles released every year that have no home in entertainment awards, if they accidentally match for categories like Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, and the highly challenging small studio competitions.
- A renowned logic title received no recognition for anything during that awards season
- A different innovative game missed out during that ceremony
- A beloved organization game received no acknowledgment in 2021
- Only a few puzzle games scraped into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent small games, yet the craft behind logic titles holds tremendous importance. Well-known matching games count as the most-played games globally and have been for over a decade.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges well-known building titles claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it’s also in the running as greatest title ever. Logic titles represent cornerstones for gaming as medium, and they are in conversation with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face such difficulty. You could fill multiple candidates interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — or rather, with difficulty, since numerous excellent so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these are games without proper classification during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers are working at the demanding boundary of video game design, developing some of the purest expressions of the video game form. Comparable to film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait generations.
