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

Whenever a significant awards ceremony draws close, one notices an outcry for introducing of new categories to recognize underappreciated efforts and delight the hearts of enthusiasts with niche passions.

A fellow writer made the case supporting a scary games classification. That would be fantastic. Equally deserving are tabletop games, this being a passionate advocate's mission. However, I must insist if I try to elbow in front just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal remains most pressing and significant. Here's the proposal: We need an award type for logic-based games.

The Genre Classification Challenge

Classifying creative works is not a science; it’s very subjective, and typically start arguments and end in fuzzy definitions. There’s a reason cinema institutions avoid this approach. Yet it remains an unavoidable compromise in the world of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute a single creative category.

For the full spectrum of achievement in video games to gain proper attention, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.

Existing Game Classification System

Prominent interactive entertainment events currently feature genre categories for Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Collectively, these award types actually cover many game types, and you can find room for numerous titles.

This doesn't apply to puzzle games. No appropriate category exists for their placement. Consider three of this year’s best games, showing diverse approaches: structural challenges of one title, fast-paced pattern recognition in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges from additional release. Where could they possibly go within current classifications? Nowhere, that’s where.

The Representation Problem

Many instances occur outstanding logic titles launched regularly that have no home during gaming ceremonies, except when they manage to fit classification types such as Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested small studio competitions.

  • An iconic brain-teaser got overlooked for anything that year
  • Another imaginative release was excluded that year
  • Well-received sorting experience was overlooked that year
  • Just some puzzle games managed to sneak into niche award types

Value of Brain-Teasers

These are often compact experiences, yet the craft in brain-teasers carries substantial weight. Well-known matching games count as most popular titles worldwide maintaining this status for over a decade.

The legendary block-stacking game competes with popular creative games for the title of most purchased experience; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks within interactive entertainment, while interacting with almost every other genre.

Proposal and Rationale

Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter that issue. One could readily select five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games annually without trouble — actually, with challenge, since numerous excellent numerous deserving experiences.

To emphasize again, these are games lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Puzzle game makers function at the demanding boundary interactive creation, producing among the purest expressions of the video game form. Similar to movie stunt professionals, they merit acknowledgment. Let’s not keep them waiting generations.

Jeffrey Tyler DDS
Jeffrey Tyler DDS

A travel enthusiast and cultural writer based in London, sharing personal experiences and expert insights on UK life.