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As any prominent prize-giving event approaches, you'll find an outcry to include of new categories to acknowledge overlooked contributions and delight the spirits of fans with niche passions.

Another commentator previously argued supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. The same goes for board games, this being a dedicated supporter's campaign. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front since similar to single-minded supporters, there's a strong justification backing this proposal is the most urgent above others. This is the request: There should be a category for puzzle games.

Categorizing Game Types

Classifying creative works defies precise measurement; opinions vary greatly, and typically generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. There’s a reason movie academies don’t do it. Yet it remains an essential concession for the industry of video games, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute one unified medium.

For comprehensive acknowledgment of interactive entertainment excellence to receive acknowledgment, while allowing diverse titles to have a chance for representation, genre categories are essential.

Existing Game Classification System

The major gaming awards presently include genre categories for Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these award types actually cover a lot of ground, making space possible accommodating various experiences.

Not so for brain-teasing titles. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Consider three of recent excellent titles, showing diverse approaches: building puzzles from a specific release, fast-paced pattern recognition from another release, thought-provoking social scenarios from additional release. Where could they possibly go among existing types? Unfortunately, nowhere.

Recognition Challenges

Many instances occur excellent brain-teasers released every year that have no home in entertainment awards, if they accidentally match classification types such as Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging independent game categories.

• One classic puzzle game received no recognition completely during that awards season
• Another imaginative release was excluded in 2019
• Well-received sorting experience got ignored recently
• Limited numbers of puzzle games scraped into small studio or handheld classifications

Value of Brain-Teasers

These are often small games, but the art behind logic titles is of massive significance. Famous handheld logic titles rank among most popular titles worldwide maintaining this status for over a decade.

The iconic tile-matching title competes with well-known building titles claiming status as most purchased experience; it’s also in the running for top gaming experience. Puzzle games are foundational within interactive entertainment, while interacting with almost every other genre.

The Solution and Justification

Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. It would be easy to populate five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — or rather, with difficulty, since numerous excellent so many good games out.

To emphasize again, these are games without proper classification in important events. Brain-teaser creators are working at the hard edge game development, developing some of the purest expressions of gaming itself. Just like film action specialists, they deserve recognition. Let’s not keep them waiting decades.