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Tetris Didn't Triumph at The Game Awards — An Additional Classification Could Fix That

Whenever a prominent prize-giving event nears, there’s always an outcry to include of new categories to honor unsung work and fill the spirits of fans with niche passions.

A fellow writer has already made supporting a scary games classification. That would be fantastic. The same goes for board games, which is a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front just as with other single-minded supporters, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand is the most urgent and important of all. Here's the proposal: It's essential to create a category for puzzle games.

Categorizing Game Types

Categorizing art by genre isn't exact; it’s very subjective, and typically spark debates and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that film award organizations avoid this approach. However, it represents a necessary evil for the industry of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety it's challenging to consider them as a single art form.

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

Existing Game Classification System

The major gaming awards currently feature classifications covering Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these award types effectively encompass many game types, and you can find room for numerous titles.

Different situation exists for brain-teasing titles. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Consider three of recent excellent titles, showing diverse approaches: structural challenges in a particular game, the pulse-pounding block-matching of another game, thought-provoking social scenarios of a third title. What category would fit them between these six categories? Simply put, no category fits.

Acknowledgment Issues

Numerous examples exist excellent brain-teasers launched regularly that have no home at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.

  • One classic puzzle game received no recognition in any category in 2014
  • A different innovative game received no nominations that year
  • Popular arranging title was overlooked recently
  • Only a few puzzle games managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories

Significance of Puzzle Games

Frequently they represent compact experiences, yet the craft in brain-teasers is of massive significance. Famous handheld logic titles stand as the most-played games globally continuing this trend for an extended period.

The famous puzzle experience challenges well-known building titles competing to become best-selling game of all time; it additionally competes as greatest title ever. Logic titles represent cornerstones to the art of video games, while interacting with almost every other genre.

Proposal and Rationale

Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. It would be easy to populate a field of five with fascinating, diverse, deserving games every year with ease — or rather, with difficulty, given the need to exclude numerous deserving experiences.

And to reiterate, these represent titles that otherwise have no home at major gaming awards. Brain-teaser creators are working at the challenging frontier of video game design, creating some of the purest expressions of the video game form. Comparable to cinema stunt performers, they warrant appreciation. We shouldn't delay decades.

AJ
By

Alyssa Jones

Elena Voss is a seasoned event strategist with over a decade of experience in crafting immersive brand experiences.

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