🔗 Share this article

Whenever a major prize-giving event approaches, one notices a clamor for introducing fresh award types to acknowledge overlooked contributions and fill the passions of fans dedicated to specific genres.

A fellow writer made the case supporting a scary games classification. That would be fantastic. The same goes for strategy board titles, this being a passionate advocate's mission. However, I must insist for pushing forward because like all dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case supporting my request is the most urgent above others. Here's the proposal: We need a category for puzzle games.

Categorizing Game Types

Categorizing art by genre is not a science; it remains highly personal, and typically spark debates resulting in unclear classifications. It's understandable that movie academies avoid this approach. Yet it remains a necessary evil in the world of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.

For the full spectrum of interactive entertainment excellence to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to compete fairly, genre categories are essential.

Current Gaming Award Categories

Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include genre categories for Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these classifications successfully include numerous genres, making space possible for numerous titles.

Different situation exists for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears to put them. Think about these outstanding current releases, all very different: the architectural riddles in a particular game, the pulse-pounding block-matching from another release, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles of a third title. Which classification works within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.

Acknowledgment Issues

There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games released every year without proper recognition during gaming ceremonies, if they accidentally match award groups including Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, and the highly challenging small studio competitions.

• One classic puzzle game got overlooked for anything during that awards season
• Another creative title missed out during that ceremony
• Well-received sorting experience received no acknowledgment that year
• Only a few brain-teasers managed to sneak into niche award types

Value of Brain-Teasers

These are often small games, yet the craft behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Iconic mobile puzzle games count as the most-played games worldwide continuing this trend for over a decade.

The legendary block-stacking game rivals famous sandbox experiences claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it also contends for top gaming experience. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, and they are in conversation across multiple categories.

Recommendation and Reasoning

Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter that issue. One could readily select a field of five interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — or rather, with difficulty, given the need to exclude many worthy titles.

To emphasize again, these are games lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Logic title developers operate at the hard edge game development, producing among essential manifestations within interactive entertainment. Similar to movie stunt professionals, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait generations.