- The 2025 Apple Design Awards have concluded
- Notable winners include Balatro and Dredge
- The awards honor standout iOS releases across multiple categories
Amid this year's excitement, you might have missed the recent Apple Design Awards! This annual ceremony celebrates iOS achievements ranging from innovation to the more abstract 'delight & fun' category. This year saw numerous major releases earn recognition.
Take a look at the winners!
- Balatro (Delight & Fun) - LocalThunk's indie deckbuilding roguelike securing an award comes as no surprise, further validating its massive popularity surge on mobile platforms.
- PBJ: The Musical (Innovation) - Another expected victory, considering nothing matches the innovation (or peculiarity) of a musical puzzle game featuring peanut butter and jelly in a Romeo & Juliet adaptation.
- Dredge (Interaction) - Successfully adapting the eldritch fishing-horror experience of Dredge for mobile devices is an accomplishment worthy of recognition, and Apple clearly agrees!
- Art of Fauna (Inclusivity) - This seemingly simple wildlife-themed puzzle game prioritizes conservation and inclusivity from its very foundation.
- Neva (Social Impact) - This action-adventure game follows a young girl and her wolf companion, addressing environmental loss through the contemplative pacing characteristic of indie storytelling.
- Infinity Nikki (Visuals & Graphics) - Another recognized title - regardless of one's opinion on Infinity Nikki's dress-up mechanics, the game's visual presentation is undeniably breathtaking!
The Apple Design Awards serve as an important reminder of mobile gaming's influence and its creative potential. Particularly noteworthy is this additional honor for Balatro, alongside another significant achievement for Dredge's mobile adaptation as this innovative cosmic horror fishing simulator continues to make waves.
Plenty of awards remain to be distributed! Have a game you believe deserves recognition? Want to contribute your opinion? Participate in the 2025 Pocket Gamer People's Choice Awards and submit your nomination today!
