Tetris Didn't Win at The Game Awards — Another Award Type Might Solve This

Whenever a major awards ceremony nears, one notices an outcry for introducing additional classifications to recognize overlooked contributions and fill the hearts of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.

Another commentator made the case supporting a scary games classification. That would be fantastic. The same goes for strategy board titles, which is a passionate advocate's mission. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front because like all dedicated enthusiasts, there's a strong justification for why my demand remains most pressing above others. This is the request: There should be an award type for logic-based games.

Categorizing Game Types

Categorizing art by genre isn't exact; it remains highly personal, and inevitably spark debates and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that cinema institutions avoid this approach. However, it represents an essential concession for the industry of gaming, showing incredible range it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.

For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to receive acknowledgment, and to ensure all game types to compete fairly, genre categories are essential.

Current Gaming Award Categories

Leading game ceremonies offer these genre categories for Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these classifications actually cover numerous genres, and you can find room accommodating various experiences.

Not so for puzzle games. No appropriate category exists to put them. Think about these this year’s best games, showing diverse approaches: structural challenges of one title, intense tile-matching of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges from additional release. Where could they possibly go within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.

The Representation Problem

There are dozens outstanding logic titles launched regularly without proper recognition in entertainment awards, except when they manage to fit award groups including Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, and the highly challenging small studio competitions.

  • One classic puzzle game got overlooked in any category during that awards season
  • A different innovative game received no nominations during that ceremony
  • Well-received sorting experience received no acknowledgment in 2021
  • Limited numbers of puzzle games managed to sneak into niche award types

Significance of Puzzle Games

These are often compact experiences, but the art of the puzzle game holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among the most-played games globally maintaining this status for many years.

The famous puzzle experience competes with well-known building titles competing to become best-selling game of all time; it also contends for top gaming experience. Logic titles represent cornerstones to the art of video games, and engaging across multiple categories.

The Solution and Justification

Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter such difficulty. You could fill five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles every year with ease — or rather, with difficulty, given the need to exclude so many good games out.

And to reiterate, these are games that otherwise have no home during prominent ceremonies. Puzzle game makers are working at the demanding boundary of video game design, creating some of the purest expressions within interactive entertainment. Comparable to film action specialists, they warrant appreciation. We shouldn't delay generations.

Leslie Ruiz
Leslie Ruiz

A tech enthusiast and digital strategist with a passion for exploring emerging technologies and sharing actionable insights.