The Iconic Puzzle Game Wouldn't Win at The Game Awards — An Additional Classification May Address This Issue

As any significant prize-giving event draws close, you'll find a demand for the addition additional classifications to recognize overlooked contributions and fill the passions of enthusiasts with niche passions.

My colleague previously argued supporting a scary games classification. That would be fantastic. The same goes for tabletop games, which is a dedicated supporter's campaign. However, I must insist if I try to elbow in front because like all dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case supporting my request is the most urgent above others. The demand is this: We need a category for puzzle games.

The Genre Classification Challenge

Organizing artistic expressions isn't exact; it remains highly personal, and typically start arguments and end in fuzzy definitions. This explains why cinema institutions avoid this approach. Yet it remains a necessary evil within the realm of video games, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify one unified medium.

For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, genre categories are essential.

Existing Game Classification System

Leading game ceremonies presently include award types recognizing Action, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these classifications successfully include numerous genres, making space possible for numerous titles.

This doesn't apply to logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to put them. Think about these this year’s best games, all very different: building puzzles of one title, intense tile-matching of another game, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles from additional release. What category would fit them among existing types? Nowhere, that’s where.

Recognition Challenges

There are dozens excellent brain-teasers released every year lacking appropriate categories during gaming ceremonies, except when they manage to fit award groups including Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive small studio competitions.

• An iconic brain-teaser wasn’t nominated in any category in 2014
• Another imaginative release missed out that year
• Well-received sorting experience was overlooked in 2021
• Just some brain-teasers managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories

Value of Brain-Teasers

Commonly they're small games, however the design in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Famous handheld logic titles rank among most popular titles worldwide maintaining this status for many years.

The legendary block-stacking game rivals famous sandbox experiences claiming status as most purchased experience; it’s also in the running for top gaming experience. Logic titles represent cornerstones to the art of video games, and engaging with diverse game types.

Recommendation and Reasoning

Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter that issue. One could readily select multiple candidates interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — perhaps, with difficulty, given the need to exclude numerous deserving experiences.

Restating the point, these are games without proper classification in important events. Brain-teaser creators function at the hard edge interactive creation, creating some of the purest expressions within interactive entertainment. Similar to movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting 35 years.