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Each time a major prize-giving event draws close, one notices an outcry for introducing fresh award types to recognize unsung work and delight the spirits of followers dedicated to specific genres.

My colleague previously argued supporting a scary games classification. That would rule. Equally deserving are strategy board titles, this being someone's personal cause. But they will have to forgive me when I prioritize just as with other blinkered fanatics, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand stands as crucial and important of all. This is the request: There should be a classification for brain-teasing titles.

The Genre Classification Challenge

Classifying creative works defies precise measurement; it remains highly personal, and it will always spark debates 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, that demonstrate such variety it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.

For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to compete fairly, genre categories are essential.

Present Award Structure

The major gaming awards currently feature classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Fighting, Simulation and strategy titles, and Sports/Racing games. Between them, these six categories successfully include many game types, allowing placement for most games within them.

Not so for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears for their placement. Think about these outstanding current releases, each quite distinct: building puzzles in a particular game, intense tile-matching of another game, thought-provoking social scenarios from additional release. Which classification works between these six categories? Simply put, no category fits.

The Representation Problem

Many instances occur of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly that have no home in entertainment awards, unless they happen to qualify for categories like Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.

• An iconic brain-teaser received no recognition in any category in 2014
• Another creative title missed out that year
• Well-received sorting experience was overlooked that year
• Limited numbers of puzzle games managed to sneak into niche award types

Value of Brain-Teasers

These are often modest productions, however the design behind logic titles is of massive significance. Well-known matching games rank among the most-played games in the world maintaining this status for an extended period.

The legendary block-stacking game rivals popular creative games competing to become best-selling game of all time; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks to the art of video games, and engaging across multiple categories.

The Solution and Justification

Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. You could fill a field of five interesting, varied, worthy titles annually without trouble — perhaps, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave so many good games out.

And to reiterate, these include experiences lacking appropriate categories during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers operate at the demanding boundary of video game design, creating some of the purest expressions of gaming itself. Just like cinema stunt performers, they warrant appreciation. We shouldn't delay decades.