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Tetris Didn't Win at The Game Awards — An Additional Classification Might Solve This

Whenever a significant prize-giving event approaches, there’s always a demand to include of new categories to acknowledge unsung work and delight the passions of fans dedicated to specific genres.

Another commentator made the case advocating for terror-themed awards. It would be amazing. The same goes for tabletop games, representing a dedicated supporter's campaign. Yet I need to apologize in advance for pushing forward since similar to dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand is the most urgent and important of all. This is the request: We need a category for puzzle games.

The Genre Classification Challenge

Classifying creative works is not a science; it’s very subjective, and it will always start arguments and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. But it is an unavoidable compromise within the realm of video games, which are so diverse they barely qualify as a single art form.

For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to compete fairly, genre categories are essential.

Existing Game Classification System

Prominent interactive entertainment events currently feature classifications covering Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these six categories effectively encompass numerous genres, allowing placement for numerous titles.

Different situation exists for puzzle games. No appropriate category exists for their placement. Think about these outstanding current releases, all very different: structural challenges from a specific release, fast-paced pattern recognition from another release, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. Where could they possibly go between these six categories? Unfortunately, nowhere.

The Representation Problem

Numerous examples exist outstanding logic titles published annually lacking appropriate categories in entertainment awards, unless they happen to qualify award groups including Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive Indie races.

  • A renowned logic title wasn’t nominated for anything during that awards season
  • A different innovative game received no nominations that year
  • Well-received sorting experience received no acknowledgment that year
  • Only a few logic titles barely qualified for small studio or handheld classifications

Value of Brain-Teasers

Commonly they're compact experiences, but the art of the puzzle game carries substantial weight. Well-known matching games count as most popular titles globally continuing this trend for many years.

The iconic tile-matching title challenges popular creative games for the title of best-selling game of all time; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones for gaming as medium, while interacting across multiple categories.

Recommendation and Reasoning

Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter such difficulty. One could readily select five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games annually without trouble — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent so many good games out.

Restating the point, these are games lacking appropriate categories in important events. Brain-teaser creators are working at the challenging frontier interactive creation, developing some of the purest expressions of gaming itself. Similar to film action specialists, they deserve recognition. We shouldn't delay generations.

The writer

Kayla Downs

A tech enthusiast and certified smart home consultant with over a decade of experience in IoT and automation systems.

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