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Tetris Wouldn't Win at The Game Awards — A New Category Could Fix That

As any major prize-giving event draws close, one notices an outcry for introducing fresh award types to acknowledge underappreciated efforts and delight the spirits of fans who have specialized interests.

Another commentator previously argued advocating for terror-themed awards. It would be amazing. So would strategy board titles, this being a dedicated supporter's campaign. But they will have to forgive me when I prioritize because like all single-minded supporters, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal is the most urgent and significant. Here's the proposal: It's essential to create an award type for logic-based games.

The Genre Classification Challenge

Categorizing art by genre is not a science; it remains highly personal, and inevitably spark debates resulting in unclear classifications. It's understandable that film award organizations avoid this approach. But it is a necessary evil in the world of video games, showing incredible range it's challenging to consider them as a single art form.

To recognize the complete range of achievement in video games to gain proper attention, and for games of all stripes to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital.

Existing Game Classification System

Leading game ceremonies presently include award types recognizing Action, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these award types effectively encompass numerous genres, and you can find room accommodating various experiences.

This doesn't apply to brain-teasing titles. No appropriate category exists to accommodate them. Think about these this year’s best games, showing diverse approaches: the architectural riddles from a specific release, fast-paced pattern recognition in a different title, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. What category would fit them between these six categories? Nowhere, that’s where.

The Representation Problem

There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games published annually that have no home during gaming ceremonies, if they accidentally match award groups including Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive Indie races.

  • One classic puzzle game wasn’t nominated completely during that awards season
  • Another creative title was excluded that year
  • A beloved organization game got ignored recently
  • Just some logic titles barely qualified for small studio or handheld classifications

Importance of Logic Titles

Frequently they represent compact experiences, yet the craft in brain-teasers carries substantial weight. Well-known matching games count as the most-played games globally maintaining this status for many years.

The iconic tile-matching title challenges famous sandbox experiences for the title of best-selling game of all time; it also contends for top gaming experience. Puzzle games are foundational for gaming as medium, and they are in conversation with almost every other genre.

The Solution and Justification

Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. One could readily select a field of five interesting, varied, worthy titles annually without trouble — actually, with challenge, given the need to exclude so many good games out.

Restating the point, these represent titles lacking appropriate categories during prominent ceremonies. Brain-teaser creators function at the challenging frontier game development, creating some of essential manifestations within interactive entertainment. Comparable to film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting decades.

About the author

Kirsten Taylor

A writer and minimalist advocate who shares insights on intentional living and storytelling.

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