The Iconic Puzzle Game Couldn't Succeed at The Game Awards — Another Award Type Could Fix That

Whenever a major prize-giving event nears, there’s always an outcry for the addition of new categories to honor unsung work and delight the passions of followers with niche passions.

Another commentator has already made for a horror game category. That would be fantastic. The same goes for strategy board titles, representing someone's personal cause. But they will have to forgive me when I prioritize since similar to dedicated enthusiasts, there's a strong justification supporting my request remains most pressing and significant. This is the request: There should be a category for puzzle games.

Categorizing Game Types

Classifying creative works is not a science; it’s very subjective, and typically spark debates resulting in unclear classifications. It's understandable that film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. Yet it remains an unavoidable compromise within the realm of gaming, which are so diverse they hardly constitute a single creative category.

For the full spectrum of achievement in video games to gain proper attention, and to ensure all game types to have a chance for representation, specific award classifications remain vital.

Existing Game Classification System

Leading game ceremonies currently feature classifications covering Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these classifications successfully include many game types, making space possible for most games within them.

This doesn't apply to brain-teasing titles. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, each quite distinct: structural challenges from a specific release, the pulse-pounding block-matching in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. Which classification works among existing types? Simply put, no category fits.

Recognition Challenges

Numerous examples exist outstanding logic titles launched regularly without proper recognition at major award shows, if they accidentally match classification types such as Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging Indie races.

  • An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition completely in 2014
  • A different innovative game received no nominations in 2019
  • A beloved organization game got ignored recently
  • Just some brain-teasers scraped into small studio or handheld classifications

Importance of Logic Titles

Commonly they're modest productions, but the art in brain-teasers carries substantial weight. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among the most-played games in the world maintaining this status for many years.

The legendary block-stacking game challenges famous sandbox experiences claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones within interactive entertainment, and engaging across multiple categories.

The Solution and Justification

Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter such difficulty. You could fill a field of five interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — or rather, with difficulty, given the need to exclude numerous deserving experiences.

To emphasize again, these include experiences lacking appropriate categories during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers function at the demanding boundary game development, producing among most fundamental forms within interactive entertainment. Comparable to film action specialists, they merit acknowledgment. Let’s not keep them waiting 35 years.

Katie Peters
Katie Peters

A passionate casino enthusiast with over a decade of experience in online gaming and slot analysis.