Whenever a prominent awards ceremony nears, you'll find an outcry to include additional classifications to acknowledge overlooked contributions and fill the hearts of enthusiasts with niche passions.
Another commentator has already made supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. So would tabletop games, this being a dedicated supporter's campaign. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front just as with other blinkered fanatics, I possess a compelling case supporting my request remains most pressing and important of all. The demand is this: There should be an award type for logic-based games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre isn't exact; it’s very subjective, and typically start arguments and end in fuzzy definitions. This explains why cinema institutions avoid this approach. But it is an unavoidable compromise for the industry of gaming, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute one unified medium.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, specific award classifications remain vital.
Current Gaming Award Categories
Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these award types actually cover many game types, making space possible accommodating various experiences.
Not so for brain-teasing titles. There’s simply nowhere to accommodate them. Think about these outstanding current releases, all very different: structural challenges from a specific release, intense tile-matching of another game, 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 lacking appropriate categories during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify for categories like Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.
- A renowned logic title received no recognition completely that year
- A different innovative game received no nominations during that ceremony
- A beloved organization game got ignored recently
- Limited numbers of puzzle games scraped into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often small games, yet the craft behind logic titles holds tremendous importance. Well-known matching games rank among most engaged experiences in the world maintaining this status for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game rivals well-known building titles claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it’s also in the running as greatest title ever. Puzzle games are foundational for gaming as medium, and engaging with diverse game types.
Proposal and Rationale
Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. One could readily select multiple candidates engaging, different, qualified experiences every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, given the need to exclude many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these are games without proper classification during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers operate at the demanding boundary game development, creating some of essential manifestations within interactive entertainment. Comparable to film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. We shouldn't delay 35 years.
