Each time a prominent prize-giving event draws close, you'll find a demand to include of new categories to recognize unsung work and delight the hearts of followers dedicated to specific genres.
A fellow writer made the case for a horror game category. That would rule. The same goes for tabletop games, this being someone's personal cause. Yet I need to apologize in advance for pushing forward just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand remains most pressing and significant. Here's the proposal: We need an award type for logic-based games.
Organizing Gaming Categories
Categorizing art by genre defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and typically generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that film award organizations don’t do it. However, it represents an unavoidable compromise for the industry of gaming, which are so diverse they barely qualify a single creative category.
For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to receive acknowledgment, while allowing diverse titles to have a chance for representation, genre categories are essential.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events offer these classifications covering Action, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these six categories actually cover numerous genres, making space possible accommodating various experiences.
Not so for puzzle games. No appropriate category exists for their placement. Think about these outstanding current releases, each quite distinct: building puzzles from a specific release, fast-paced pattern recognition in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges from additional release. What category would fit them among existing types? Unfortunately, nowhere.
The Representation Problem
Numerous examples exist outstanding logic titles released every year lacking appropriate categories during gaming ceremonies, except when they manage to fit for categories like Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive Indie races.
- A renowned logic title got overlooked for anything that year
- Another creative title was excluded during that ceremony
- A beloved organization game got ignored that year
- Just some brain-teasers managed to sneak into niche award types
Importance of Logic Titles
These are often modest productions, but the art of the puzzle game holds tremendous importance. Famous handheld logic titles count as most engaged experiences worldwide maintaining this status for over a decade.
The iconic tile-matching title rivals famous sandbox experiences competing to become highest-selling title ever; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation across multiple categories.
The Solution and Justification
Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. It would be easy to populate multiple candidates engaging, different, qualified experiences every year with ease — actually, with challenge, since numerous excellent many worthy titles.
To emphasize again, these are games lacking appropriate categories during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers are working at the demanding boundary game development, developing some of essential manifestations within interactive entertainment. Comparable to cinema stunt performers, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait generations.