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The Iconic Puzzle Game Wouldn't Win at This Gaming Ceremony — Another Award Type Might Solve This

As any significant prize-giving event draws close, there’s always a demand to include fresh award types to acknowledge unsung work and fill the spirits of fans who have specialized interests.

Another commentator has already made supporting a scary games classification. That would be fantastic. The same goes for strategy board titles, representing a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front since similar to dedicated enthusiasts, there's a strong justification for why my demand stands as crucial above others. The demand is this: We need a classification for brain-teasing titles.

Categorizing Game Types

Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and it will always start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. There’s a reason film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. But it is an essential concession in the world of gaming, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify one unified medium.

For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to compete fairly, classification by type becomes crucial.

Existing Game Classification System

Prominent interactive entertainment events offer these award types recognizing Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these classifications successfully include numerous genres, and you can find room for numerous titles.

This doesn't apply to puzzle games. No appropriate category exists to accommodate them. Think about these this year’s best games, all very different: structural challenges of one title, the pulse-pounding block-matching from another release, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles from additional release. Where could they possibly go between these six categories? Unfortunately, nowhere.

The Representation Problem

Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games published annually that have no home in entertainment awards, if they accidentally match for categories like Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging small studio competitions.

  • A renowned logic title received no recognition in any category that year
  • A different innovative game received no nominations during that ceremony
  • A beloved organization game got ignored recently
  • Limited numbers of brain-teasers scraped into small studio or handheld classifications

Value of Brain-Teasers

Frequently they represent small games, however the design in brain-teasers carries substantial weight. Well-known matching games count as most popular titles globally and have been for an extended period.

The famous puzzle experience competes with famous sandbox experiences claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it also contends for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks for gaming as medium, and engaging with diverse game types.

The Solution and Justification

Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. You could fill five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles annually without trouble — perhaps, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave numerous deserving experiences.

Restating the point, these include experiences lacking appropriate categories during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers function at the hard edge game development, producing among essential manifestations of the video game form. Just like movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. We shouldn't delay 35 years.

Written by

Terry Richards

A Berlin-based tech enthusiast and digital strategist with over a decade of experience in web development and creative content.

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