- The 2025 Apple Design Awards have concluded
- Notable winners include Balatro and Dredge
- These awards celebrate outstanding iOS releases across multiple categories
Amidst this year's exciting developments, you might have missed that the Apple Design Awards just took place! This annual event honors exceptional iOS releases spanning innovation to the more subjective 'delight & fun' category, with several major titles earning recognition this year.
Take a look at the winners!
- Balatro (Delight & Fun) - LocalThunk's indie deckbuilding roguelike was a predictable winner, further cementing its massive popularity surge on mobile platforms.
- PBJ: The Musical (Innovation) - Another expected victory for this uniquely innovative 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 represents a significant achievement that Apple has rightly acknowledged.
- Art of Fauna (Inclusivity) - This seemingly simple wildlife-themed puzzle game emphasizes conservation and inclusivity from its very foundation.
- Neva (Social Impact) - This action-adventure following a young girl and her wolf companion tackles environmental loss through the gradual pacing characteristic of indie storytelling.
- Infinity Nikki (Visuals & Graphics) - Regardless of your opinion on its dress-up mechanics, Infinity Nikki stands as an undeniably visually spectacular release.
The Apple Design Awards serve as an important reminder of mobile gaming's influence and potential. Balatro's victory adds another achievement to its growing reputation, while Dredge continues to make waves with its successful mobile adaptation of innovative cosmic horror fishing gameplay.
Many more gaming awards remain to be distributed! Have a favorite game that deserves recognition? Want to share your opinion? Participate in the 2025 Pocket Gamer People's Choice Awards by submitting your nomination today!
