Each time a major prize-giving event approaches, there’s always a demand to include fresh award types to honor unsung work and fill the hearts of followers dedicated to specific genres.
Another commentator has already made advocating for terror-themed awards. That would be fantastic. Equally deserving are tabletop games, which is a passionate advocate's mission. However, I must insist if I try to elbow in front because like all dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case supporting my request remains most pressing and significant. Here's the proposal: There should be a classification for brain-teasing titles.
Categorizing Game Types
Classifying creative works is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and inevitably spark debates concluding with vague boundaries. There’s a reason cinema institutions don’t do it. However, it represents a necessary evil within the realm of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify one unified medium.
To recognize the complete range of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, and to ensure all game types to have a chance for representation, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
The major gaming awards currently feature classifications covering Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these six categories effectively encompass a lot of ground, making space possible for numerous titles.
Different situation exists for logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to put them. Examine these examples from outstanding current releases, showing diverse approaches: the architectural riddles from a specific release, fast-paced pattern recognition from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges from additional release. What category would fit them between these six categories? Nowhere, that’s where.
The Representation Problem
There are dozens outstanding logic titles released every year that have no home at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, and the highly challenging independent game categories.
- A renowned logic title received no recognition in any category that year
- Another creative title was excluded in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience was overlooked that year
- Limited numbers of logic titles managed to sneak into small studio or handheld classifications
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent modest productions, but the art behind logic titles is of massive significance. Well-known matching games rank among most engaged experiences worldwide and have been for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with popular creative games competing to become best-selling game of all time; it also contends for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, and engaging with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. It would be easy to populate multiple candidates with fascinating, diverse, deserving games each ceremony simply — or rather, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave many worthy titles.
To emphasize again, these represent titles that otherwise have no home at major gaming awards. Brain-teaser creators function at the challenging frontier interactive creation, creating some of the purest expressions of gaming itself. Just like movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait 35 years.
