Skip to content
OpenlyTopics offers insightful articles and discussions on …

Tetris Didn't Win at This Gaming Ceremony — A New Category Could Fix That

As any prominent awards ceremony nears, you'll find a clamor to include additional classifications to recognize underappreciated efforts and fill the passions of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.

My colleague has already made advocating for terror-themed awards. That would be fantastic. Equally deserving are tabletop games, this being someone's personal cause. However, I must insist when I prioritize just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, there's a strong justification supporting my request is the most urgent above others. The demand is this: It's essential to create an award type for logic-based games.

Categorizing Game Types

Classifying creative works isn't exact; it’s very subjective, and typically generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. There’s a reason cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents an unavoidable compromise for the industry of video games, that demonstrate such variety it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.

To recognize the complete range of gaming accomplishments to receive acknowledgment, and for games of all stripes to receive proper recognition, genre categories are essential.

Existing Game Classification System

Leading game ceremonies presently include classifications covering Action, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these award types effectively encompass many game types, and you can find room accommodating various experiences.

This doesn't apply to logic-based experiences. No appropriate category exists for their placement. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, each quite distinct: structural challenges of one title, intense tile-matching in a different title, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles from additional release. Where could they possibly go within current classifications? Nowhere, that’s where.

The Representation Problem

There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games released every year without proper recognition during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify award groups including Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive small studio competitions.

  • One classic puzzle game got overlooked for anything that year
  • Another imaginative release missed out that year
  • Popular arranging title was overlooked in 2021
  • Limited numbers of logic titles barely qualified for small studio or handheld classifications

Value of Brain-Teasers

Frequently they represent compact experiences, however the design of the puzzle game is of massive significance. Famous handheld logic titles count as most popular titles worldwide and have been for an extended period.

The iconic tile-matching title challenges well-known building titles for the title of most purchased experience; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks for gaming as medium, and engaging across multiple categories.

The Solution and Justification

Puzzle games wouldn’t have that issue. One could readily select five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — actually, with challenge, given the need to exclude numerous deserving experiences.

To emphasize again, these represent titles that otherwise have no home at major gaming awards. Logic title developers function at the challenging frontier game development, developing some of the purest expressions of the video game form. Comparable to movie stunt professionals, they warrant appreciation. Don't make them wait decades.

The writer

Kelly Graham

Aria Vance is a freelance journalist and cultural commentator with a passion for exploring societal trends and global issues.

OpenlyTopics

Type to search articles.