Tetris Wouldn't Win at This Gaming Ceremony — An Additional Classification Might Solve This

Each time a significant awards ceremony draws close, you'll find an outcry for introducing fresh award types to recognize overlooked contributions and satisfy the hearts of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.

Another commentator previously argued supporting a scary games classification. That would be fantastic. The same goes for tabletop games, representing someone's personal cause. However, I must insist for pushing forward because like all dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand remains most pressing and important of all. This is the request: There should be a classification for brain-teasing titles.

Categorizing Game Types

Organizing artistic expressions defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and typically start arguments concluding with vague boundaries. It's understandable that film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an unavoidable compromise within the realm of video games, showing incredible range it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.

To recognize the complete range of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to compete fairly, genre categories are essential.

Existing Game Classification System

Prominent interactive entertainment events offer these genre categories for Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these award types effectively encompass numerous genres, allowing placement for most games within them.

This doesn't apply to logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Examine these examples from recent excellent titles, showing diverse approaches: structural challenges from a specific release, fast-paced pattern recognition from another release, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles from additional release. What category would fit them within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.

Acknowledgment Issues

There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly lacking appropriate categories during gaming ceremonies, if they accidentally match for categories like Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested Indie races.

  • One classic puzzle game received no recognition for anything that year
  • A different innovative game missed out that year
  • A beloved organization game was overlooked in 2021
  • Only a few puzzle games managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories

Significance of Puzzle Games

These are often compact experiences, yet the craft behind logic titles holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games count as the most-played games in the world and have been for an extended period.

The famous puzzle experience rivals popular creative games claiming status as most purchased experience; it’s also in the running as greatest title ever. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks to the art of video games, and they are in conversation with diverse game types.

Proposal and Rationale

Puzzle games wouldn’t have that issue. One could readily select a field of five engaging, different, qualified experiences every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave numerous deserving experiences.

And to reiterate, these include experiences that otherwise have no home in important events. Logic title developers operate at the challenging frontier of video game design, creating some of essential manifestations of gaming itself. Comparable to cinema stunt performers, they merit acknowledgment. We shouldn't delay 35 years.

Kristin Farrell
Kristin Farrell

A tech enthusiast and business consultant with over a decade of experience in digital innovation and market analysis.