Whenever a major prize-giving event nears, you'll find an outcry to include additional classifications to acknowledge overlooked contributions and delight the spirits of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
Another commentator made the case for a horror game category. That would rule. The same goes for tabletop games, representing someone's personal cause. However, I must insist for pushing forward just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand is the most urgent above others. Here's the proposal: There should be an award type for logic-based games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Organizing artistic expressions is not a science; it remains highly personal, and it will always spark debates concluding with vague boundaries. This explains why film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an unavoidable compromise for the industry of gaming, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify a single creative category.
For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to receive acknowledgment, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
The major gaming awards presently include classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Together, 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 recent excellent titles, each quite distinct: building puzzles of one title, intense tile-matching from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. What category would fit them within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Acknowledgment Issues
Many instances occur outstanding logic titles released every year without proper recognition during gaming ceremonies, if they accidentally match award groups including Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive small studio competitions.
- A renowned logic title wasn’t nominated for anything in 2014
- Another creative title received no nominations in 2019
- Well-received sorting experience got ignored in 2021
- Just some puzzle games barely qualified for niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
These are often compact experiences, but the art behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Well-known matching games rank among most engaged experiences worldwide and have been for over a decade.
The legendary block-stacking game rivals famous sandbox experiences competing to become best-selling game of all time; it additionally competes as greatest title ever. Logic titles represent cornerstones for gaming as medium, and engaging across multiple categories.
The Solution and Justification
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter such difficulty. It would be easy to populate five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games annually without trouble — or rather, with difficulty, since numerous excellent numerous deserving experiences.
Restating the point, these include experiences lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. 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.
