Tetris Didn't Succeed at The Game Awards — A New Category Might Solve This

Each time a prominent awards ceremony approaches, there’s always a clamor to include additional classifications to honor overlooked contributions and delight the passions of followers with niche passions.

Another commentator has already made for a horror game category. That would be fantastic. The same goes for tabletop games, which is a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance if I try to elbow in front just as with other dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument supporting my request remains most pressing and significant. This is the request: We need an award type for logic-based games.

The Genre Classification Challenge

Categorizing art by genre is not a science; it’s very subjective, and inevitably generate discussions resulting in unclear classifications. There’s a reason film award organizations avoid this approach. Yet it remains an unavoidable compromise for the industry of video games, showing incredible range they barely qualify a single creative category.

To recognize the complete range of gaming accomplishments to gain proper attention, and for games of all stripes to compete fairly, genre categories are essential.

Present Award Structure

The major gaming awards presently include classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these award types effectively encompass numerous genres, allowing placement accommodating various experiences.

Different situation exists for logic-based experiences. No appropriate category exists to accommodate them. Consider three of this year’s best games, each quite distinct: building puzzles in a particular game, intense tile-matching in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. What category would fit them within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.

Recognition Challenges

There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly lacking appropriate categories in entertainment awards, if they accidentally match for categories like Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.

  • A renowned logic title got overlooked for anything during that awards season
  • A different innovative game missed out that year
  • A beloved organization game got ignored that year
  • Limited numbers of puzzle games barely qualified for independent or mobile categories

Significance of Puzzle Games

These are often compact experiences, but the art behind logic titles is of massive significance. Iconic mobile puzzle games stand as most engaged experiences globally maintaining this status for many years.

The legendary block-stacking game competes with famous sandbox experiences competing to become best-selling game of all time; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation with diverse game types.

Recommendation and Reasoning

Logic titles wouldn't face such difficulty. You could fill multiple candidates with fascinating, diverse, deserving games annually without trouble — actually, with challenge, given the need to exclude many worthy titles.

To emphasize again, these are games without proper classification at major gaming awards. Brain-teaser creators operate at the challenging frontier game development, developing some of most fundamental forms within interactive entertainment. Just like film action specialists, they merit acknowledgment. We shouldn't delay 35 years.

Bradley Nguyen
Bradley Nguyen

A lifelong gamer and tech enthusiast, Marcus specializes in console gaming and industry trends, with over a decade of writing experience.