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Tetris Didn't Triumph at The Game Awards — Another Award Type Might Solve This

Whenever a prominent prize-giving event approaches, one notices a demand to include of new categories to acknowledge overlooked contributions and fill the passions of enthusiasts with niche passions.

A fellow writer has already made advocating for terror-themed awards. That would be fantastic. Equally deserving are board games, representing someone's personal cause. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, there's a strong justification supporting my request stands as crucial above others. The demand is this: We need a classification for brain-teasing titles.

Categorizing Game Types

Classifying creative works defies precise measurement; it remains highly personal, and typically generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents a necessary evil for the industry of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute one unified medium.

For the full spectrum of achievement in video games to be recognized, and to ensure all game types to receive proper recognition, genre categories are essential.

Current Gaming Award Categories

Leading game ceremonies offer these classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these award types actually cover numerous genres, and you can find room for numerous titles.

This doesn't apply to puzzle games. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Examine these examples from recent excellent titles, showing diverse approaches: structural challenges from a specific release, intense tile-matching of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. Where could they possibly go between these six categories? Unfortunately, nowhere.

The Representation Problem

Many instances occur excellent brain-teasers released every year lacking appropriate categories in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit award groups including Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging small studio competitions.

  • One classic puzzle game received no recognition for anything during that awards season
  • A different innovative game missed out during that ceremony
  • A beloved organization game received no acknowledgment recently
  • Limited numbers of brain-teasers scraped into independent or mobile categories

Value of Brain-Teasers

Frequently they represent small games, however the design of the puzzle game is of massive significance. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among the most-played games globally and have been for many years.

The famous puzzle experience rivals popular creative games for the title of most purchased experience; it also contends for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones to the art of video games, while interacting with almost every other genre.

Recommendation and Reasoning

Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter this problem. One could readily select multiple candidates interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — or rather, with difficulty, given the need to exclude many worthy titles.

Restating the point, these represent titles without proper classification at major gaming awards. Puzzle game makers are working at the demanding boundary game development, producing among most fundamental forms of the video game form. Just like cinema stunt performers, they deserve recognition. We shouldn't delay decades.

JC
By

John Carr

A lifelong gamer and writer specializing in retro gaming history and modern indie titles, sharing insights and reviews.

Vector Games UK

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