Skip to content
Sunday, October 18, 2026
MediaPublic UK

The Iconic Puzzle Game Wouldn't Succeed at The Game Awards — Another Award Type Might Solve This

Each time a significant prize-giving event approaches, you'll find a demand for the addition additional classifications to honor overlooked contributions and delight the spirits of fans dedicated to specific genres.

Another commentator has already made advocating for terror-themed awards. It would be amazing. So would strategy board titles, this being someone's personal cause. Yet I need to apologize in advance for pushing forward since similar to dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case supporting my request is the most urgent above others. Here's the proposal: It's essential to create an award type for logic-based games.

Categorizing Game Types

Organizing artistic expressions defies precise measurement; opinions vary greatly, and typically start arguments concluding with vague boundaries. There’s a reason film award organizations steer clear of genre categories. Yet it remains an essential concession for the industry of interactive entertainment, showing incredible range they barely qualify a single creative category.

For the full spectrum of achievement in video games to gain proper attention, while allowing diverse titles to receive proper recognition, genre categories are essential.

Present Award Structure

Prominent interactive entertainment events offer these classifications covering Action, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these award types effectively encompass numerous genres, allowing placement for numerous titles.

Different situation exists for puzzle games. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Think about these this year’s best games, each quite distinct: building puzzles in a particular game, fast-paced pattern recognition of another game, engaging interpersonal challenges from additional release. Where could they possibly go within current classifications? Unfortunately, nowhere.

Acknowledgment Issues

There are dozens excellent brain-teasers published annually without proper recognition at major award shows, unless they happen to qualify for categories like Handheld titles, VR/AR Game, or the intensely contested independent game categories.

  • One classic puzzle game got overlooked completely in 2014
  • Another creative title received no nominations that year
  • Well-received sorting experience was overlooked recently
  • Just some brain-teasers barely qualified for small studio or handheld classifications

Value of Brain-Teasers

Commonly they're modest productions, but the art in brain-teasers holds tremendous importance. Iconic mobile puzzle games rank among the most-played games in the world and have been for over a decade.

The iconic tile-matching title competes with popular creative games competing to become most purchased experience; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Puzzle games are foundational to the art of video games, and engaging with almost every other genre.

The Solution and Justification

Brain-teasers wouldn't encounter this problem. You could fill a field of five interesting, varied, worthy titles annually without trouble — actually, with challenge, since numerous excellent numerous deserving experiences.

To emphasize again, these represent titles lacking appropriate categories during prominent ceremonies. Brain-teaser creators operate at the challenging frontier of video game design, developing some of the purest expressions within interactive entertainment. Similar to cinema stunt performers, they warrant appreciation. We shouldn't delay 35 years.

The writer

Robert Holden

Award-winning journalist with over a decade of experience covering UK media and political landscapes.

MediaPublic UK

Type to search articles.