Tetris Didn't Succeed at This Gaming Ceremony — Another Award Type Could Fix That
Each time a significant awards ceremony draws close, there’s always a demand to include of new categories to honor unsung work and delight the hearts of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.
Another commentator made the case advocating for terror-themed awards. That would be fantastic. Equally deserving are board games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me for pushing forward just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand is the most urgent and important of all. The demand is this: It's essential to create a category for puzzle games.
Categorizing Game Types
Classifying creative works isn't exact; it’s very subjective, and it will always generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. This explains why movie academies steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents a necessary evil within the realm of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute as a single art form.
To recognize the complete range of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, genre categories are essential.
Existing Game Classification System
The major gaming awards presently include genre categories for Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these classifications effectively encompass a lot of ground, allowing placement accommodating various experiences.
This doesn't apply to logic-based experiences. No appropriate category exists for their placement. Consider three of outstanding current releases, each quite distinct: building puzzles from a specific release, the pulse-pounding block-matching of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Where could they possibly go within current classifications? Nowhere, that’s where.
The Representation Problem
Numerous examples exist outstanding logic titles published annually without proper recognition at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify award groups including Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging Indie races.
- One classic puzzle game got overlooked in any category during that awards season
- Another creative title was excluded in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience was overlooked recently
- Only a few logic titles managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories
Value of Brain-Teasers
Commonly they're modest productions, however the design of the puzzle game is of massive significance. Famous handheld logic titles stand as most popular titles in the world continuing this trend for over a decade.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with famous sandbox experiences claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it also contends for top gaming experience. Logic titles represent cornerstones within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation across multiple categories.
Proposal and Rationale
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter this problem. One could readily select five nominees engaging, different, qualified experiences each ceremony simply — perhaps, with difficulty, given the need to exclude many worthy titles.
And to reiterate, these represent titles that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers are working at the challenging frontier game development, creating some of essential manifestations of the video game form. Just like film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting decades.