Whenever a prominent awards ceremony nears, one notices an outcry to include additional classifications to acknowledge overlooked contributions and delight the passions of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
A fellow writer previously argued supporting a scary games classification. It would be amazing. Equally deserving are board games, this being a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front since similar to blinkered fanatics, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal remains most pressing and important of all. The demand is this: It's essential to create an award type for logic-based games.
Categorizing Game Types
Classifying creative works isn't exact; opinions vary greatly, and it will always spark debates and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that film award organizations avoid this approach. However, it represents an unavoidable compromise within the realm of video games, which are so diverse it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.
To recognize the complete range of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, while allowing diverse titles to compete fairly, classification by type becomes crucial.
Present Award Structure
The major gaming awards offer these genre categories for Action, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these six categories effectively encompass numerous genres, and you can find room accommodating various experiences.
This doesn't apply to logic-based experiences. No appropriate category exists for their placement. Examine these examples from outstanding current releases, all very different: structural challenges of one title, fast-paced pattern recognition in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. Which classification works within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
Recognition Challenges
Numerous examples exist of brilliant puzzle games released every year without proper recognition in entertainment awards, unless they happen to qualify award groups including Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive small studio competitions.
- An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition for anything in 2014
- A different innovative game received no nominations that year
- Well-received sorting experience got ignored in 2021
- Limited numbers of brain-teasers managed to sneak into niche award types
Value of Brain-Teasers
Frequently they represent small games, however the design in brain-teasers carries substantial weight. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among the most-played games globally and have been for over a decade.
The famous puzzle experience challenges famous sandbox experiences claiming status as most purchased experience; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks within interactive entertainment, while interacting across multiple categories.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. It would be easy to populate a field of five engaging, different, qualified experiences every year with ease — actually, with challenge, because you’d have to leave numerous deserving experiences.
To emphasize again, these include experiences without proper classification during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers function at the challenging frontier game development, producing among essential manifestations of the video game form. Similar to movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting generations.
