- The 2025 Apple Design Awards ceremony has concluded
- Notable winners include Balatro and Dredge
- These awards celebrate outstanding iOS apps across multiple categories
Amid this year's exciting developments, you might have missed the recent Apple Design Awards! This annual event honors iOS creators for excellence ranging from technical innovation to the charmingly vague 'delight & fun' category. Many acclaimed releases earned recognition this year.
Take a look at these standout winners!
- Balatro (Delight & Fun) - LocalThunk's indie deckbuilding roguelike deservedly claimed an award, reinforcing its explosive popularity since launching on mobile platforms.
- PBJ: The Musical (Innovation) - A predictable yet justified winner - what could be more innovative than a musical puzzle game reimagining Romeo & Juliet with peanut butter and jelly protagonists?
- Dredge (Interaction) - The mobile adaptation of this Lovecraftian fishing horror game represents a remarkable technical accomplishment that impressed Apple's judges.
- Art of Fauna (Inclusivity) - This seemingly straightforward wildlife puzzle game delivers thoughtful messaging about conservation and accessibility.
- Neva (Social Impact) - Through its tale of a girl and her wolf companion, this action-adventure title approaches environmental themes with signature indie nuance.
- Infinity Nikki (Visuals & Graphics) - Regardless of opinions about its dress-up mechanics, Infinity Nikki's breathtaking visual presentation merits recognition.
The Apple Design Awards highlight mobile gaming's creative potential and cultural impact. Balatro continues its winning streak, while Dredge proves horror fishing sims can thrive on mobile platforms.
Plenty more awards remain undecided! Want to champion overlooked titles? Make your voice heard by participating in Pocket Gamer's 2025 People's Choice Awards nominations!
