Whenever a prominent awards ceremony approaches, one notices a clamor for the addition fresh award types to recognize unsung work and satisfy the spirits of followers with niche passions.
My colleague previously argued advocating for terror-themed awards. That would rule. So would strategy board titles, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front since similar to dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal stands as crucial and significant. This is the request: There should be an award type for logic-based games.
Categorizing Game Types
Classifying creative works is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and typically generate discussions concluding with vague boundaries. This explains why cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. But it is a necessary evil within the realm of gaming, showing incredible range it's challenging to consider them as a single art form.
For the full spectrum of interactive entertainment excellence to receive acknowledgment, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include genre categories for Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these award types successfully include a lot of ground, and you can find room accommodating various experiences.
Different situation exists for logic-based experiences. No appropriate category exists to put them. Examine these examples from outstanding current releases, each quite distinct: the architectural riddles from a specific release, intense tile-matching of another game, thought-provoking social scenarios of a third title. Which classification works among existing types? Nowhere, that’s where.
The Representation Problem
Numerous examples exist of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly lacking appropriate categories during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify for categories like Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging Indie races.
- An iconic brain-teaser wasn’t nominated in any category in 2014
- A different innovative game missed out that year
- A beloved organization game got ignored recently
- Limited numbers of brain-teasers barely qualified for independent or mobile categories
Value of Brain-Teasers
Commonly they're small games, however the design behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Well-known matching games rank among most engaged experiences in the world maintaining this status for over a decade.
The legendary block-stacking game rivals famous sandbox experiences for the title of best-selling game of all time; it also contends 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
Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. One could readily select a field of five interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave many worthy titles.
Restating the point, these represent titles without proper classification during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers are working at the demanding boundary of video game design, producing among most fundamental forms of gaming itself. Similar to film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting 35 years.