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Each time a significant honors show draws close, there’s always a demand for introducing of new categories to acknowledge unsung work and delight the hearts of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.

A fellow writer made the case supporting a scary games classification. That would be fantastic. Equally deserving are strategy board titles, this being a dedicated supporter's campaign. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front since similar to dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand stands as crucial and significant. Here's the proposal: There should be a category for puzzle games.

Categorizing Game Types

Categorizing art by genre is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and inevitably spark debates resulting in unclear classifications. This explains why movie academies steer clear of genre categories. But it is a necessary evil for the industry of video games, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute one unified medium.

To recognize the complete range of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, classification by type becomes crucial.

Existing Game Classification System

Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include award types recognizing Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these six categories successfully include many game types, making space possible accommodating various experiences.

This doesn't apply to brain-teasing titles. There’s simply nowhere to accommodate them. Consider three of outstanding current releases, all very different: structural challenges of one title, intense tile-matching from another release, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. Which classification works between these six categories? Unfortunately, nowhere.

Acknowledgment Issues

There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games released every year without proper recognition during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify award groups including Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging Indie races.

• One classic puzzle game wasn’t nominated for anything during that awards season
• Another creative title missed out that year
• A beloved organization game was overlooked recently
• Limited numbers of logic titles managed to sneak into small studio or handheld classifications

Value of Brain-Teasers

These are often modest productions, but the art in brain-teasers carries substantial weight. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among the most-played games in the world maintaining this status for over a decade.

The legendary block-stacking game rivals well-known building titles for the title of best-selling game of all time; it additionally competes for top gaming experience. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks for gaming as medium, and they are in conversation across multiple categories.

The Solution and Justification

Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter such difficulty. It would be easy to populate multiple candidates interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — perhaps, with difficulty, given the need to exclude numerous deserving experiences.

And to reiterate, these include experiences without proper classification at major gaming awards. Puzzle game makers operate at the demanding boundary of video game design, producing among essential manifestations within interactive entertainment. Comparable to cinema stunt performers, they deserve recognition. Don't make them wait 35 years.