🔗 Share this article The Iconic Puzzle Game Wouldn't Win at This Gaming Ceremony — A New Category Might Solve This Each time a prominent awards ceremony approaches, there’s always an outcry for introducing additional classifications to acknowledge overlooked contributions and fill the hearts of followers dedicated to specific genres. Another commentator has already made advocating for terror-themed awards. It would be amazing. Equally deserving are board games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me when I prioritize because like all single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case supporting my request stands as crucial and important of all. This is the request: We need a classification for brain-teasing titles. The Genre Classification Challenge Categorizing art by genre is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and inevitably generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. There’s a reason cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. Yet it remains an essential concession within the realm of gaming, which are so diverse it's challenging to consider them as a single art form. For the full spectrum of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, classification by type becomes crucial. Current Gaming Award Categories Leading game ceremonies currently feature genre categories for Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these six categories effectively encompass many game types, making space possible accommodating various experiences. Not so for brain-teasing titles. No appropriate category exists to accommodate them. Consider three of this year’s best games, each quite distinct: structural challenges in a particular game, the pulse-pounding block-matching in a different title, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles of a third title. What category would fit them within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits. Recognition Challenges Numerous examples exist of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly lacking appropriate categories during gaming ceremonies, if they accidentally match classification types such as Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging small studio competitions. An iconic brain-teaser wasn’t nominated in any category in 2014 Another imaginative release missed out that year A beloved organization game was overlooked that year Just some brain-teasers managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories Significance of Puzzle Games Commonly they're modest productions, yet the craft of the puzzle game holds tremendous importance. Famous handheld logic titles count as the most-played games globally continuing this trend for an extended period. The iconic tile-matching title rivals popular creative games claiming status as most purchased experience; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks for gaming as medium, and they are in conversation with almost every other genre. The Solution and Justification Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. It would be easy to populate a field of five engaging, different, qualified experiences each ceremony simply — actually, with challenge, given the need to exclude numerous deserving experiences. To emphasize again, these include experiences lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Puzzle game makers function at the demanding boundary of video game design, developing some of essential manifestations of the video game form. Just like film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting 35 years.