Each time a major awards ceremony nears, one notices a demand to include additional classifications to honor unsung work and delight the spirits of followers dedicated to specific genres.
A fellow writer made the case advocating for terror-themed awards. That would rule. Equally deserving are board games, which is a dedicated supporter's campaign. However, I must insist for pushing forward since similar to blinkered fanatics, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand is the most urgent above others. This is the request: We need a classification for brain-teasing titles.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Classifying creative works defies precise measurement; opinions vary greatly, and typically start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. This explains why movie academies steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an essential concession in the world of video games, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute one unified medium.
For the full spectrum of interactive entertainment excellence to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, classification by type becomes crucial.
Present Award Structure
The major gaming awards offer these award types recognizing Action, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these classifications successfully include many game types, making space possible for numerous titles.
Different situation exists for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Consider three of recent excellent titles, all very different: the architectural riddles in a particular game, the pulse-pounding block-matching from another release, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. Which classification works between these six categories? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist outstanding logic titles released every year lacking appropriate categories during gaming ceremonies, except when they manage to fit award groups including Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive Indie races.
- One classic puzzle game wasn’t nominated in any category during that awards season
- Another imaginative release missed out that year
- Well-received sorting experience was overlooked that year
- Only a few brain-teasers managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent modest productions, however the design in brain-teasers carries substantial weight. Famous handheld logic titles rank among the most-played games worldwide and have been for many years.
The famous puzzle experience competes with popular creative games for the title of best-selling game of all time; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation with almost every other genre.
Proposal and Rationale
Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. It would be easy to populate five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games every year with ease — actually, with challenge, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.
And to reiterate, these represent titles that otherwise have no home in important events. Logic title developers function at the demanding boundary of video game design, developing some of the purest expressions of the video game form. Similar to movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait decades.
