Each time a prominent awards ceremony nears, one notices a clamor for introducing additional classifications to honor underappreciated efforts and satisfy the passions of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
My colleague made the case supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. The same goes for board games, representing a passionate advocate's mission. However, I must insist when I prioritize since similar to dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal 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
Categorizing art by genre isn't exact; it remains highly personal, and it will always spark debates concluding with vague boundaries. It's understandable that cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an essential concession for the industry of video games, showing incredible range they barely qualify one unified medium.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, and to ensure all game types to receive proper recognition, classification by type becomes crucial.
Existing Game Classification System
The major gaming awards currently feature classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these six categories actually cover many game types, and you can find room accommodating various experiences.
Not so for logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Consider three of recent excellent titles, each quite distinct: building puzzles from a specific release, intense tile-matching in a different title, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles of a third title. Which classification works within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Acknowledgment Issues
Numerous examples exist of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly without proper recognition at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested Indie races.
- One classic puzzle game got overlooked in any category in 2014
- A different innovative game received no nominations during that ceremony
- A beloved organization game was overlooked recently
- Only a few logic titles managed to sneak into niche award types
Significance of Puzzle Games
Commonly they're compact experiences, but the art behind logic titles is of massive significance. Famous handheld logic titles count as most engaged experiences globally and have been for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game rivals well-known building titles competing to become best-selling game of all time; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones to the art of video games, and engaging with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Puzzle games wouldn’t have this problem. You could fill five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games annually without trouble — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these represent titles without proper classification at major gaming awards. Puzzle game makers are working at the demanding boundary of video game design, producing among most fundamental forms within interactive entertainment. Comparable to movie stunt professionals, they merit acknowledgment. Don't make them wait decades.