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Each time a major honors show nears, one notices an outcry for introducing of new categories to honor unsung work and delight the spirits of fans with niche passions.

Another commentator previously argued supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. The same goes for tabletop games, which is someone's personal cause. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front because like all single-minded supporters, I possess a compelling case supporting my request stands as crucial above others. This is the request: We need a classification for brain-teasing titles.

Categorizing Game Types

Classifying creative works is not a science; opinions vary greatly, and it will always generate discussions and end in fuzzy definitions. There’s a reason movie academies avoid this approach. Yet it remains an essential concession in the world of gaming, showing incredible range they hardly constitute as a single art form.

To recognize the complete range of achievement in video games to gain proper attention, and to ensure all game types to have a chance for representation, specific award classifications remain vital.

Existing Game Classification System

Leading game ceremonies presently include classifications covering Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these classifications actually cover many game types, making space possible for most games within them.

Different situation exists for logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to put them. Consider three of recent excellent titles, showing diverse approaches: building puzzles of one title, the pulse-pounding block-matching in a different title, thought-provoking social scenarios of a third title. What category would fit them within current classifications? Nowhere, that’s where.

Recognition Challenges

There are dozens excellent brain-teasers published annually that have no home during gaming ceremonies, if they accidentally match for categories like Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging small studio competitions.

• A renowned logic title received no recognition completely in 2014
• Another creative title missed out during that ceremony
• A beloved organization game got ignored recently
• Just some puzzle games managed to sneak into small studio or handheld classifications

Significance of Puzzle Games

These are often small games, yet the craft in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games count as the most-played games worldwide maintaining this status for many years.

The famous puzzle experience rivals famous sandbox experiences claiming status as most purchased experience; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Logic titles represent cornerstones within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation across multiple categories.

Proposal and Rationale

Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter this problem. One could readily select multiple candidates interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — or rather, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.

To emphasize again, these are games that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Brain-teaser creators function at the hard edge interactive creation, developing some of most fundamental forms of the video game form. Just like film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. Let’s not keep them waiting 35 years.