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As any major awards ceremony draws close, one notices a demand for introducing fresh award types to acknowledge overlooked contributions and delight the spirits of followers dedicated to specific genres.

Another commentator previously argued advocating for terror-themed awards. That would rule. The same goes for board games, this being a passionate advocate's mission. But they will have to forgive me when I prioritize just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand remains most pressing above others. The demand is this: There should be a category for puzzle games.

Organizing Gaming Categories

Classifying creative works isn't exact; it remains highly personal, and typically spark debates resulting in unclear classifications. There’s a reason cinema institutions don’t do it. But it is an unavoidable compromise in the world of gaming, showing incredible range it's challenging to consider them as a single art form.

To recognize the complete range of achievement in video games to receive acknowledgment, while allowing diverse titles to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital.

Present Award Structure

Leading game ceremonies offer these award types recognizing Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these classifications actually cover numerous genres, making space possible for numerous titles.

Not so for brain-teasing titles. No suitable classification appears to put them. Consider three of outstanding current releases, showing diverse approaches: structural challenges from a specific release, intense tile-matching of another game, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles in another game. Where could they possibly go within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.

The Representation Problem

There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games released every year without proper recognition in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit for categories like Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested Indie races.

• One classic puzzle game received no recognition for anything in 2014
• A different innovative game missed out during that ceremony
• A beloved organization game was overlooked that year
• Limited numbers of logic titles scraped into independent or mobile categories

Significance of Puzzle Games

These are often compact experiences, however the design in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Well-known matching games stand as the most-played games in the world and have been for an extended period.

The legendary block-stacking game challenges famous sandbox experiences competing to become best-selling game of all time; it also contends for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, while interacting across multiple categories.

The Solution and Justification

Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. One could readily select five nominees engaging, different, qualified experiences each ceremony simply — or rather, with difficulty, since numerous excellent numerous deserving experiences.

And to reiterate, these represent titles that otherwise have no home in important events. Puzzle game makers function at the hard edge of video game design, creating some of the purest expressions of the video game form. Comparable to movie stunt professionals, they merit acknowledgment. Let’s not keep them waiting generations.