The Iconic Puzzle Game Didn't Triumph at The Game Awards — Another Award Type Might Solve This

As any major prize-giving event draws close, there’s always a clamor to include of new categories to honor unsung work and satisfy the passions of enthusiasts who have specialized interests.

My colleague previously argued for a horror game category. That would rule. The same goes for board games, which is someone's personal cause. Yet I need to apologize in advance when I prioritize since similar to single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case backing this proposal stands as crucial above others. The demand is this: There should be a category for puzzle games.

Organizing Gaming Categories

Organizing artistic expressions isn't exact; opinions vary greatly, and inevitably start arguments and end in fuzzy definitions. This explains why film award organizations avoid this approach. However, it represents a necessary evil in the world of gaming, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute one unified medium.

To recognize the complete range of interactive entertainment excellence to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to compete fairly, classification by type becomes crucial.

Existing Game Classification System

Prominent interactive entertainment events currently feature genre categories for Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these six categories effectively encompass a lot of ground, and you can find room for numerous titles.

Different situation exists for puzzle games. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Consider three of outstanding current releases, each quite distinct: building puzzles from a specific release, the pulse-pounding block-matching of another game, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. Where could they possibly go among existing types? Unfortunately, nowhere.

Recognition Challenges

Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games published annually lacking appropriate categories during gaming ceremonies, if they accidentally match for categories like Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested Indie races.

  • An iconic brain-teaser got overlooked completely in 2014
  • Another creative title received no nominations that year
  • A beloved organization game was overlooked in 2021
  • Only a few logic titles managed to sneak into small studio or handheld classifications

Importance of Logic Titles

Frequently they represent small games, yet the craft of the puzzle game holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games count as most engaged experiences in the world and have been for many years.

The iconic tile-matching title rivals popular creative games for the title of highest-selling title ever; it additionally competes as greatest title ever. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks within interactive entertainment, while interacting with diverse game types.

The Solution and Justification

Puzzle games wouldn’t have such difficulty. One could readily select five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games annually without trouble — or rather, with difficulty, given the need to exclude many worthy titles.

And to reiterate, these are games that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers are working at the demanding boundary of video game design, creating some of the purest expressions of the video game form. Just like film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting 35 years.

Stacy Hamilton
Stacy Hamilton

A passionate educator and designer with over a decade of experience in visual arts and digital innovation.