As any major awards ceremony approaches, there’s always a demand for introducing additional classifications to recognize unsung work and fill the spirits of fans with niche passions.
A fellow writer made the case supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. So would tabletop games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me when I prioritize because like all single-minded supporters, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand is the most urgent and significant. This is the request: It's essential to create a category for puzzle games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Classifying creative works is not a science; it’s very subjective, and it will always generate discussions concluding with vague boundaries. This explains why film award organizations avoid this approach. Yet it remains an unavoidable compromise for the industry of interactive entertainment, showing incredible range they barely qualify one unified medium.
For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to have a chance for representation, classification by type becomes crucial.
Existing Game Classification System
The major gaming awards currently feature award types recognizing Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these six categories effectively encompass numerous genres, allowing placement for numerous titles.
Not so for logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Think about these outstanding current releases, each quite distinct: the architectural riddles in a particular game, intense tile-matching in a different title, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles of a third title. Which classification works among existing types? Nowhere, that’s where.
The Representation Problem
Many instances occur outstanding logic titles released every year that have no home in entertainment awards, unless they happen to qualify for categories like Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive small studio competitions.
- One classic puzzle game wasn’t nominated for anything during that awards season
- Another creative title received no nominations in 2019
- A beloved organization game got ignored recently
- Only a few logic titles barely qualified for independent or mobile categories
Significance of Puzzle Games
These are often small games, but the art of the puzzle game is of massive significance. Iconic mobile puzzle games stand as most engaged experiences in the world maintaining this status for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game rivals well-known building titles claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it additionally competes as greatest title ever. Puzzle games are foundational for gaming as medium, and they are in conversation with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Puzzle games wouldn’t have that issue. One could readily select multiple candidates interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — actually, with challenge, since numerous excellent many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these include experiences lacking appropriate categories during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers are working at the challenging frontier of video game design, producing among the purest expressions of gaming itself. Similar to cinema stunt performers, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait 35 years.
