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

Each time a significant awards ceremony approaches, there’s always a demand to include additional classifications to recognize overlooked contributions and fill the hearts of fans who have specialized interests.

A fellow writer previously argued advocating for terror-themed awards. That would rule. Equally deserving are strategy board titles, this being a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me for pushing forward just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case supporting my request stands as crucial and significant. This is the request: It's essential to create a category for puzzle games.

Organizing Gaming Categories

Organizing artistic expressions defies precise measurement; opinions vary greatly, and typically generate discussions resulting in unclear classifications. There’s a reason movie academies steer clear of genre categories. But it is an essential concession within the realm of gaming, which are so diverse they barely qualify one unified medium.

For the full spectrum of achievement in video games to be recognized, and to ensure all game types to compete fairly, classification by type becomes crucial.

Current Gaming Award Categories

Leading game ceremonies currently feature award types recognizing Action, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these classifications actually cover 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. Consider three of recent excellent titles, each quite distinct: building puzzles in a particular game, intense tile-matching from another release, engaging interpersonal challenges from additional release. Where could they possibly go among existing types? Simply put, no category fits.

The Representation Problem

There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly lacking appropriate categories at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify award groups including Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive Indie races.

  • An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition for anything during that awards season
  • Another imaginative release missed out that year
  • Well-received sorting experience received no acknowledgment that year
  • Just some logic titles managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories

Significance of Puzzle Games

Frequently they represent modest productions, but the art behind logic titles is of massive significance. Well-known matching games rank among the most-played games globally maintaining this status for an extended period.

The iconic tile-matching title competes with famous sandbox experiences for the title of best-selling game of all time; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational for gaming as medium, and engaging across multiple categories.

Proposal and Rationale

Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. You could fill a field of five engaging, different, qualified experiences each ceremony simply — actually, with challenge, because you’d have to leave numerous deserving experiences.

Restating the point, these are games without proper classification during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers function at the hard edge game development, developing some of the purest expressions of the video game form. Similar to cinema stunt performers, they warrant appreciation. We shouldn't delay generations.

Tara Boyd
Tara Boyd

Certified personal trainer and nutritionist with over 10 years of experience in holistic health coaching.