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Whenever a prominent prize-giving event draws close, you'll find an outcry to include additional classifications to acknowledge overlooked contributions and fill the spirits of enthusiasts with niche passions.

Another commentator previously argued supporting a scary games classification. It would be amazing. Equally deserving are tabletop games, this being a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance for pushing forward since similar to dedicated enthusiasts, I have a cast-iron argument for why my demand remains most pressing and significant. The demand is this: We need an award type for logic-based games.

Organizing Gaming Categories

Categorizing art by genre isn't exact; opinions vary greatly, and typically start arguments and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that film award organizations avoid this approach. However, it represents an essential concession in the world of gaming, showing incredible range it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.

To recognize the complete range of gaming accomplishments to receive acknowledgment, while allowing diverse titles to compete fairly, specific award classifications remain vital.

Present Award Structure

Leading game ceremonies offer these genre categories for Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, RPG experiences, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these six categories effectively encompass numerous genres, making space possible for most games within them.

Not so for puzzle games. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Examine these examples from this year’s best games, all very different: the architectural riddles from a specific release, intense tile-matching from another release, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles of a third title. Which classification works within current classifications? Nowhere, that’s where.

Recognition Challenges

There are dozens outstanding logic titles published annually without proper recognition at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify for categories like Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive independent game categories.

• One classic puzzle game received no recognition in any category that year
• A different innovative game received no nominations in 2019
• Popular arranging title received no acknowledgment in 2021
• Limited numbers of brain-teasers managed to sneak into independent or mobile categories

Value of Brain-Teasers

Frequently they represent small games, yet the craft behind logic titles carries substantial weight. Famous handheld logic titles rank among most popular titles worldwide and have been for an extended period.

The iconic tile-matching title rivals famous sandbox experiences claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it additionally competes for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks within interactive entertainment, and engaging across multiple categories.

Proposal and Rationale

Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. It would be easy to populate a field of five with fascinating, diverse, deserving games annually without trouble — actually, with challenge, since numerous excellent many worthy titles.

Restating the point, these are games lacking appropriate categories during prominent ceremonies. Logic title developers function at the challenging frontier game development, creating some of essential manifestations of gaming itself. Similar to film action specialists, they merit acknowledgment. Don't make them wait 35 years.