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As any major prize-giving event draws close, there’s always a clamor for the addition fresh award types to recognize overlooked contributions and satisfy the spirits of fans dedicated to specific genres.

A fellow writer previously argued for a horror game category. That would rule. Equally deserving are tabletop games, this being someone's personal cause. However, I must insist for pushing forward because like all dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case backing this proposal is the most urgent and important of all. The demand is this: It's essential to create a category for puzzle games.

The Genre Classification Challenge

Categorizing art by genre isn't exact; it remains highly personal, and typically spark debates and end in fuzzy definitions. There’s a reason movie academies avoid this approach. But it is an essential concession in the world of interactive entertainment, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute one unified medium.

For the full spectrum of interactive entertainment excellence to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital.

Current Gaming Award Categories

The major gaming awards offer these classifications covering Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these award types actually cover many game types, allowing placement accommodating various experiences.

Different situation exists for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears to put them. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, all very different: the architectural riddles of one title, the pulse-pounding block-matching from another release, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles of a third title. Where could they possibly go between these six categories? Simply put, no category fits.

Acknowledgment Issues

There are dozens excellent brain-teasers released every year without proper recognition in entertainment awards, if they accidentally match classification types such as Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested independent game categories.

• An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition for anything in 2014
• Another imaginative release was excluded during that ceremony
• A beloved organization game got ignored that year
• Just some logic titles scraped into independent or mobile categories

Value of Brain-Teasers

These are often modest productions, but the art behind logic titles holds tremendous importance. Famous handheld logic titles rank among the most-played games in the world and have been for many years.

The legendary block-stacking game competes with well-known building titles competing to become most purchased experience; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational for gaming as medium, and engaging with almost every other genre.

Proposal and Rationale

Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter this problem. 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 include experiences lacking appropriate categories at major gaming awards. Logic title developers are working at the challenging frontier of video game design, producing among essential manifestations of the video game form. Just like movie stunt professionals, they merit acknowledgment. Let’s not keep them waiting generations.