Tetris Wouldn't Triumph at The Game Awards — A New Category Could Fix That

Each time a prominent awards ceremony approaches, one notices a demand for the addition additional classifications to recognize underappreciated efforts and fill the hearts of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.

A fellow writer has already made supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. The same goes for strategy board titles, which is a passionate advocate's mission. But they will have to forgive me for pushing forward because like all blinkered fanatics, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal stands as crucial and important of all. Here's the proposal: It's essential to create an award type for logic-based games.

The Genre Classification Challenge

Classifying creative works defies precise measurement; it remains highly personal, and typically start arguments and end in fuzzy definitions. There’s a reason movie academies steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an essential concession in the world of gaming, that demonstrate such variety it's challenging to consider them as a single art form.

For the full spectrum of interactive entertainment excellence to receive acknowledgment, and for games of all stripes to receive proper recognition, classification by type becomes crucial.

Existing Game Classification System

Leading game ceremonies currently feature award types recognizing Action, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these classifications actually cover many game types, allowing placement accommodating various experiences.

This doesn't apply to logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Consider three of outstanding current releases, all very different: building puzzles of one title, intense tile-matching of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. What category would fit them within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.

The Representation Problem

Many instances occur excellent brain-teasers launched regularly that have no home at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify award groups including Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive small studio competitions.

• One classic puzzle game got overlooked for anything during that awards season
• A different innovative game missed out during that ceremony
• Well-received sorting experience received no acknowledgment that year
• Just some brain-teasers barely qualified for small studio or handheld classifications

Value of Brain-Teasers

Frequently they represent compact experiences, yet the craft in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Well-known matching games rank among most engaged experiences globally and have been for many years.

The famous puzzle experience challenges well-known building titles claiming status as highest-selling title ever; it additionally competes for top gaming experience. Logic titles represent cornerstones for gaming as medium, while interacting across multiple categories.

The Solution and Justification

Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter this problem. One could readily select multiple candidates interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — or rather, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.

Restating the point, these include experiences lacking appropriate categories in important events. Puzzle game makers are working at the challenging frontier interactive creation, developing some of most fundamental forms of gaming itself. Similar to movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting generations.