As any significant prize-giving event approaches, one notices a clamor for the addition of new categories to acknowledge unsung work and satisfy the passions of followers dedicated to specific genres.
My colleague made the case for a horror game category. That would be fantastic. So would board games, which is a passionate advocate's mission. However, I must insist for pushing forward just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, there's a strong justification for why my demand is the most urgent and significant. This is the request: We need an award type for logic-based games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Classifying creative works is not a science; it’s very subjective, and inevitably start arguments and end in fuzzy definitions. This explains why cinema institutions don’t do it. However, it represents a necessary evil in the world of gaming, which are so diverse it's challenging to consider them a single creative category.
To recognize the complete range of interactive entertainment excellence to gain proper attention, and to ensure all game types to compete fairly, classification by type becomes crucial.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include genre categories for Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these classifications successfully include numerous genres, making space possible for most games within them.
Different situation exists for logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Consider three of this year’s best games, all very different: building puzzles of one title, intense tile-matching of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Where could they possibly go between these six categories? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist outstanding logic titles published annually that have no home in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit classification types such as Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive Indie races.
- One classic puzzle game got overlooked for anything in 2014
- Another imaginative release missed out in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience got ignored that year
- Only a few brain-teasers managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent compact experiences, yet the craft in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Well-known matching games count as most popular titles globally maintaining this status for an extended period.
The iconic tile-matching title competes with well-known building titles claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it also contends as greatest title ever. Puzzle games are foundational for gaming as medium, while interacting with diverse game types.
Recommendation and Reasoning
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter that issue. One could readily select multiple candidates engaging, different, qualified experiences annually without trouble — perhaps, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
Restating the point, these represent titles without proper classification during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers operate at the challenging frontier game development, developing some of essential manifestations of the video game form. Similar to cinema stunt performers, they merit acknowledgment. Don't make them wait decades.
