🔗 Share this article Tetris Wouldn't Triumph at This Gaming Ceremony — A New Category Could Fix That Each time a significant awards ceremony approaches, there’s always a demand for introducing additional classifications to acknowledge underappreciated efforts and satisfy the hearts of fans dedicated to specific genres. A fellow writer previously argued for a horror game category. That would rule. So would tabletop games, which is a dedicated supporter's campaign. However, I must insist if I try to elbow in front just as with other blinkered fanatics, I possess a compelling case backing this proposal is the most urgent and significant. Here's the proposal: We need an award type for logic-based games. Categorizing Game Types Organizing artistic expressions defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and typically spark debates and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that movie academies don’t do it. But it is a necessary evil in the world of gaming, that demonstrate such variety they barely qualify one unified medium. To recognize the complete range of achievement in video games to receive acknowledgment, while allowing diverse titles to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital. Present Award Structure Prominent interactive entertainment events currently feature genre categories for Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these award types effectively encompass many game types, allowing placement for most games within them. This doesn't apply to brain-teasing titles. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, showing diverse approaches: the architectural riddles in a particular game, intense tile-matching in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges from additional release. Where could they possibly go among existing types? Simply put, no category fits. The Representation Problem Many instances occur excellent brain-teasers published annually without proper recognition in entertainment awards, unless they happen to qualify award groups including Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested small studio competitions. An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition completely during that awards season A different innovative game was excluded during that ceremony Well-received sorting experience received no acknowledgment that year Just some puzzle games barely qualified for niche award types Value of Brain-Teasers Frequently they represent small games, yet the craft of the puzzle game carries substantial weight. Famous handheld logic titles count as most engaged experiences worldwide and have been for over a decade. The legendary block-stacking game challenges well-known building titles claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it’s also in the running as greatest title ever. Puzzle games are foundational for gaming as medium, and they are in conversation across multiple categories. The Solution and Justification Puzzle games wouldn’t have such difficulty. It would be easy to populate five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent numerous deserving experiences. To emphasize again, these represent titles lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Puzzle game makers are working at the hard edge interactive creation, producing among the purest expressions within interactive entertainment. Comparable to movie stunt professionals, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait generations.