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Tetris Wouldn't Triumph at The Game Awards — A New Category May Address This Issue

Whenever a major awards ceremony draws close, one notices a clamor for introducing fresh award types to recognize unsung work and satisfy the spirits of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.

My colleague made the case advocating for terror-themed awards. It would be amazing. Equally deserving are strategy board titles, which is a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance for pushing forward because like all single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case for why my demand stands as crucial and important of all. This is the request: We need a classification for brain-teasing titles.

Categorizing Game Types

Categorizing art by genre defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and it will always generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. However, it represents a necessary evil for the industry of video games, which are so diverse they barely qualify as a single art form.

For the full spectrum of achievement in video games to be recognized, while allowing diverse titles to compete fairly, classification by type becomes crucial.

Present Award Structure

Leading game ceremonies presently include classifications covering Action, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Together, these award types successfully include a lot of ground, and you can find room for numerous titles.

Not so for logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to put them. Think about these recent excellent titles, each quite distinct: structural challenges of one title, the pulse-pounding block-matching in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. What category would fit them within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.

Acknowledgment Issues

Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games released every year without proper recognition in entertainment awards, if they accidentally match classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.

  • A renowned logic title got overlooked for anything that year
  • Another creative title missed out in 2019
  • A beloved organization game received no acknowledgment in 2021
  • Just some puzzle games barely qualified for niche award types

Value of Brain-Teasers

Frequently they represent small games, however the design in brain-teasers carries substantial weight. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among the most-played games in the world maintaining this status for an extended period.

The famous puzzle experience challenges well-known building titles competing to become highest-selling title ever; it also contends for top gaming experience. Logic titles represent cornerstones for gaming as medium, and engaging with almost every other genre.

Recommendation and Reasoning

Puzzle games wouldn’t have this problem. You could fill five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games annually without trouble — or rather, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave numerous deserving experiences.

Restating the point, these are games that otherwise have no home in important events. Brain-teaser creators are working at the hard edge interactive creation, producing among most fundamental forms within interactive entertainment. Just like movie stunt professionals, they merit acknowledgment. We shouldn't delay decades.

The writer

Jennifer Alvarez

A London-based cultural critic and historian, specializing in modern British society and its global influences.

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