Each time a prominent awards ceremony approaches, one notices an outcry for the addition of new categories to acknowledge underappreciated efforts and fill the hearts of fans with niche passions.
Another commentator has already made for a horror game category. That would rule. The same goes for strategy board titles, this being a dedicated supporter's campaign. Yet I need to apologize in advance for pushing forward just as with other blinkered fanatics, there's a strong justification supporting my request is the most urgent and significant. This is the request: It's essential to create a classification for brain-teasing titles.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Classifying creative works defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and typically spark debates concluding with vague boundaries. There’s a reason cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an unavoidable compromise for the industry of video games, which are so diverse they barely qualify a single creative category.
For the full spectrum of interactive entertainment excellence to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to compete fairly, classification by type becomes crucial.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events offer these classifications covering Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these six categories effectively encompass many game types, allowing placement for numerous titles.
This doesn't apply to logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Examine these examples from recent excellent titles, showing diverse approaches: structural challenges from a specific release, intense tile-matching from another release, thought-provoking social scenarios of a third title. Where could they possibly go within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
The Representation Problem
Numerous examples exist of brilliant puzzle games released every year lacking appropriate categories at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify for categories like Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested independent game categories.
- One classic puzzle game received no recognition completely that year
- Another creative title was excluded that year
- A beloved organization game got ignored recently
- Just some logic titles managed to sneak into niche award types
Importance of Logic Titles
Frequently they represent modest productions, however the design of the puzzle game carries substantial weight. Iconic mobile puzzle games stand as most popular titles globally maintaining this status for many years.
The iconic tile-matching title rivals famous sandbox experiences for the title of most purchased experience; it’s also in the running as greatest title ever. Puzzle games are foundational for gaming as medium, and they are in conversation with almost every other genre.
The Solution and Justification
Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter this problem. You could fill multiple candidates engaging, different, qualified experiences annually without trouble — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent numerous deserving experiences.
To emphasize again, these are games without proper classification during prominent ceremonies. Brain-teaser creators are working at the challenging frontier game development, producing among essential manifestations within interactive entertainment. Similar to film action specialists, they merit acknowledgment. We shouldn't delay 35 years.
