The Iconic Puzzle Game Didn't Win at The Game Awards — A New Category Could Fix That

Whenever a major awards ceremony nears, one notices a demand for the addition of new categories to recognize unsung work and delight the hearts of fans dedicated to specific genres.

Another commentator previously argued advocating for terror-themed awards. That would be fantastic. So would strategy board titles, which is a dedicated supporter's campaign. However, I must insist when I prioritize just as with other blinkered fanatics, there's a strong justification for why my demand remains most pressing and important of all. This is the request: It's essential to create a category for puzzle games.

The Genre Classification Challenge

Categorizing art by genre isn't exact; opinions vary greatly, and it will always start arguments concluding with vague boundaries. It's understandable that film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. But it is an unavoidable compromise within the realm of gaming, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify a single creative category.

For the full spectrum of interactive entertainment excellence to gain proper attention, and to ensure all game types to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.

Present Award Structure

Prominent interactive entertainment events offer these award types recognizing Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these award types effectively encompass many game types, allowing placement for most games within them.

Different situation exists for logic-based experiences. There’s simply nowhere to accommodate them. Think about these recent excellent titles, all very different: the architectural riddles in a particular game, fast-paced pattern recognition of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges in another game. Which classification works within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.

Recognition Challenges

There are dozens excellent brain-teasers released every year lacking appropriate categories during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify classification types such as Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.

• An iconic brain-teaser got overlooked in any category in 2014
• Another creative title was excluded that year
• Well-received sorting experience got ignored in 2021
• Limited numbers of logic titles scraped into independent or mobile categories

Importance of Logic Titles

Commonly they're compact experiences, but the art of the puzzle game carries substantial weight. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among the most-played games in the world and have been for an extended period.

The famous puzzle experience rivals famous sandbox experiences 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 within interactive entertainment, and engaging with almost every other genre.

The Solution and Justification

Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. One could readily select five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games each ceremony simply — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent so many good games out.

Restating the point, these include experiences lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Brain-teaser creators operate at the challenging frontier of video game design, creating some of the purest expressions within interactive entertainment. Similar to cinema stunt performers, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait generations.