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

As any prominent prize-giving event draws close, you'll find an outcry to include of new categories to recognize unsung work and fill the passions of fans with niche passions.

Another commentator made the case supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. Equally deserving are strategy board titles, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. However, I must insist for pushing forward just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, there's a strong justification backing this proposal stands as crucial and significant. This is the request: There should be a classification for brain-teasing titles.

Categorizing Game Types

Categorizing art by genre is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and it will always start arguments resulting in unclear classifications. It's understandable that film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents a necessary evil for the industry of video games, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify a single creative category.

To recognize the complete range of interactive entertainment excellence to be recognized, and to ensure all game types to compete fairly, genre categories are essential.

Existing Game Classification System

The major gaming awards offer these award types recognizing Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these award types effectively encompass a lot of ground, and you can find room accommodating various experiences.

Not so for logic-based experiences. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Think about these outstanding current releases, each quite distinct: structural challenges in a particular game, the pulse-pounding block-matching of another game, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles from additional release. Which classification works among existing types? Nowhere, that’s where.

Recognition Challenges

Numerous examples exist excellent brain-teasers released every year that have no home in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit for categories like Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested Indie races.

  • One classic puzzle game received no recognition in any category that year
  • A different innovative game was excluded in 2019
  • A beloved organization game got ignored that year
  • Just some logic titles managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories

Value of Brain-Teasers

Commonly they're modest productions, however the design in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among the most-played games in the world continuing this trend for an extended period.

The iconic tile-matching title rivals well-known building titles claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks to the art of video games, and engaging across multiple categories.

The Solution and Justification

Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter such difficulty. One could readily select multiple candidates interesting, varied, worthy titles annually without trouble — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent numerous deserving experiences.

To emphasize again, these are games without proper classification in important events. Puzzle game makers function at the demanding boundary of video game design, producing among most fundamental forms of the video game form. Comparable to movie stunt professionals, they merit acknowledgment. Don't make them wait 35 years.

The writer

Logan Yates

A professional organizer and storage expert with over a decade of experience in helping UK homeowners achieve clutter-free living spaces.

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