Each time a major honors show draws close, there’s always a clamor for introducing fresh award types to honor unsung work and fill the hearts of followers dedicated to specific genres.
My colleague has already made supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. Equally deserving are board games, which is a dedicated supporter's campaign. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case for why my demand stands as crucial and important of all. The demand is this: We need a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Organizing artistic expressions defies precise measurement; opinions vary greatly, and inevitably generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. This explains why film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an essential concession within the realm of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety it's challenging to consider them as a single art form.
For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.
Present Award Structure
Leading game ceremonies currently feature genre categories for Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these six categories successfully include a lot of ground, allowing placement for most games within them.
Not so for puzzle games. No appropriate category exists for their placement. Consider three of this year’s best games, each quite distinct: building puzzles in a particular game, fast-paced pattern recognition from another release, thought-provoking social scenarios of a third title. Which classification works within current classifications? Nowhere, that’s where.
Recognition Challenges
Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly that have no home at major award shows, if they accidentally match classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested independent game categories.
- One classic puzzle game received no recognition completely that year
- A different innovative game missed out during that ceremony
- Popular arranging title was overlooked recently
- Only a few puzzle games barely qualified for small studio or handheld classifications
Significance of Puzzle Games
Frequently they represent modest productions, but the art of the puzzle game is of massive significance. Well-known matching games stand as the most-played games in the world continuing this trend for an extended period.
The famous puzzle experience rivals popular creative games claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it also contends for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. You could fill multiple candidates interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — actually, with challenge, because you’d have to leave many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these include experiences that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers function at the demanding boundary interactive creation, developing some of most fundamental forms within interactive entertainment. Just like film action specialists, they merit acknowledgment. Don't make them wait generations.