Whenever a significant prize-giving event approaches, there’s always a clamor for the addition additional classifications to honor underappreciated efforts and delight the hearts of followers dedicated to specific genres.
Another commentator made the case for a horror game category. That would rule. So would board games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. Yet I need to apologize in advance for pushing forward because like all blinkered fanatics, I possess a compelling case for why my demand remains most pressing and significant. The demand is this: There should be an award type for logic-based games.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Categorizing art by genre is not a science; it’s very subjective, and inevitably start arguments concluding with vague boundaries. It's understandable that cinema institutions avoid this approach. However, it represents an essential concession in the world of interactive entertainment, showing incredible range it's challenging to consider them as a single art form.
To recognize the complete range of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, classification by type becomes crucial.
Existing Game Classification System
Leading game ceremonies offer these classifications covering Action, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these classifications successfully include numerous genres, making space possible for numerous titles.
This doesn't apply to brain-teasing titles. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Think about these outstanding current releases, all very different: structural challenges in a particular game, fast-paced pattern recognition in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Where could they possibly go among existing types? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist excellent brain-teasers published annually lacking appropriate categories at major award shows, except when they manage to fit for categories like Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging small studio competitions.
- An iconic brain-teaser wasn’t nominated for anything during that awards season
- A different innovative game received no nominations in 2019
- A beloved organization game got ignored in 2021
- Just some puzzle games scraped into small studio or handheld classifications
Importance of Logic Titles
These are often modest productions, but the art of the puzzle game holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among most engaged experiences in the world and have been for over a decade.
The iconic tile-matching title rivals famous sandbox experiences competing to become highest-selling title ever; it also contends for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones within interactive entertainment, while interacting across multiple categories.
Proposal and Rationale
Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. You could fill multiple candidates with fascinating, diverse, deserving games annually without trouble — actually, with challenge, since numerous excellent many worthy titles.
To emphasize again, these are games lacking appropriate categories in important events. Brain-teaser creators are working at the hard edge game development, developing some of most fundamental forms of the video game form. Comparable to movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait 35 years.