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Whenever a prominent prize-giving event nears, there’s always a clamor for the addition fresh award types to recognize unsung work and satisfy the spirits of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.

My colleague previously argued supporting a scary games classification. It would be amazing. So would strategy board titles, this being a passionate advocate's mission. However, I must insist if I try to elbow in front since similar to dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case supporting my request stands as crucial and important of all. The demand is this: We need an award type for logic-based games.

The Genre Classification Challenge

Classifying creative works defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and it will always generate discussions resulting in unclear classifications. This explains why cinema institutions don’t do it. Yet it remains an essential concession within the realm of video games, which are so diverse it's challenging to consider them a single creative category.

To recognize the complete range of interactive entertainment excellence to be recognized, and to ensure all game types to receive proper recognition, genre categories are essential.

Existing Game Classification System

The major gaming awards offer these classifications covering Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these six categories actually cover many game types, allowing placement accommodating various experiences.

Not so for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Consider three of this year’s best games, each quite distinct: building puzzles from a specific release, fast-paced pattern recognition of another game, thought-provoking social scenarios in another game. What category would fit them among existing types? Unfortunately, nowhere.

The Representation Problem

Numerous examples exist outstanding logic titles published annually that have no home in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit classification types such as Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive Indie races.

• An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition for anything in 2014
• Another creative title was excluded during that ceremony
• A beloved organization game got ignored that year
• Limited numbers of logic titles barely qualified for niche award types

Significance of Puzzle Games

Frequently they represent small games, yet the craft behind logic titles is of massive significance. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among the most-played games globally and have been for many years.

The iconic tile-matching title rivals well-known building titles claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it also contends for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation across multiple categories.

Recommendation and Reasoning

Logic titles wouldn't face that issue. One could readily select a field of five with fascinating, diverse, deserving games each ceremony simply — or rather, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave many worthy titles.

And to reiterate, these represent titles that otherwise have no home at major gaming awards. Brain-teaser creators operate at the demanding boundary of video game design, developing some of essential manifestations of the video game form. Comparable to movie stunt professionals, they deserve recognition. Let’s not keep them waiting decades.