Apple Reveals 2025 Design Awards Winners – Including Infinity Nikki, DREDGE and Balatro

Apple has announced the winners of the 2025 Apple Design Awards, celebrating 12 innovative apps and games globally recognized for their design and user experience.

These winners are highlighted in six categories, including Inclusivity, Social Impact and Delight and Fun. They showcase how creative design can enhance our lives, learning, and connections, delivering enjoyable and impactful experiences.

Delight and Fun

This category is presented to apps that have provided memorable and engaging experiences which have been enhanced by Apple technology.

CapWords – HappyPlan Tech (China)

CapWords is an innovative language learning app that turns images of everyday objects into interactive stickers, making vocabulary discovery more intuitive and visually engaging. With support for nine languages, it offers an enjoyable way for users to learn independently while staying connected to their environment.

Balatro – LocalThunk (Canada)

Balatro is a compelling blend of poker, solitaire, and deck-building, infused with roguelike mechanics. Players build creative synergies by pairing classic poker hands with unique joker cards, each offering distinct abilities. Known for its smart design and engaging gameplay, Balatro challenges players to push their scores higher by assembling powerful decks to outwit tricky blinds and claim victory.

Finalists include Lumy by Raja V, Denim by Feel Good Tech, Thank Goodness You’re Here! by Panic, and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown by Ubisoft Montpellier.

Innovation

This category presents a state-of-the-art experience regarding novel reading with Apple tech, setting apart each genre.

Play – Rabbit 3 Times (United States)

Play is a user-friendly tool that allows users to create interactive prototypes using SwiftUI frameworks. It has a well-designed interface that makes it easy for designers to collaborate on Mac and iPhone in real time.

PBJ – The Musical – Philipp Stollenmayer (Germany)

PBJ – The Musical is a playful take on Romeo and Juliet using snacks. It combines rhythm-based gameplay with storytelling and has a great soundtrack. The game features haptic feedback, clever camera work, and fun dialogue, making it enjoyable from the beginning.

Finalists are Moises by Music.AI, Capybara by Digital Workroom Ltd, Pawz by Bootloader Studio Holdings Private Limited and Gears & Goo by Resolution Games AB.

Interaction

This category offers intuitive interfaces and controls that perfectly tailor to the platform.

Taobao – Zhejiang Taobao Network (China)

Taobao provides a convenient shopping experience on Apple Vision Pro, featuring realistic 3D models that enhance user engagement. It allows side-by-side comparison of items and considers placement, position, controls, size, and function.

DREDGE – Black Salt Games (New Zealand)

DREDGE combines horror and adventure as players control a fishing boat. They explore spooky islands, discover unusual animals, and solve a mysterious story. The game features easy interactions and hidden treasures on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Finalists include iA Writer by Information Architects AG, Mela – Recipe Manager by Silvio Rizzi, Gears & Goo by Resolution Games AB and Skate City: New York by Snowman.

Inclusivity

This category delivers a worthwhile, accessible experience with a reflection of backgrounds, abilities and languages.

Speechify – Speechify (United States)

Speechify offers hundreds of voices in over 50 languages, turning written text into audio easily. It focuses on accessibility, including features like Dynamic Type and VoiceOver, benefiting those with dyslexia, ADHD, low vision, and auditory learners.

Art of Fauna – Klemens Strasser (Austria)

Art of Fauna is a puzzle game featuring vintage wildlife images and a focus on inclusivity and conservation. Players solve puzzles by rearranging visuals or text, with full VoiceOver support and haptic feedback for accessibility.

Finalists include Evolve by GTA Solutions, Train Fitness by Train Fitness, puffies. by Lykke Studios and Land of Livia by Split Atom Labs.

Social Impact

This category shines light to life improvement in a meaningful way that also provides space for pressing issues.

Watch Duty – Sherwood Forestry Service (United States)

During wildfires in Southern California, Watch Duty provided timely updates, evacuation info, and vital resources. It reports details like fire boundaries, wind conditions, and evacuation orders.

Neva – Devolver Digital (United States)

Neva is an action-adventure game featuring a girl and her wolf companion in a declining world. As seasons change, their relationship deepens, reflecting themes of care, connection, and environmental loss. Players navigate stunning landscapes while experiencing a meaningful story about friendship and leadership.

Finalists are Ground News by Snapwise, Opal by Opal OS, Ahoy! From Picardy by Daniel Jones and Art of Fauna by Klemens Strasser.

Visuals and Graphics

This category presents the artistic imagery, talented drawn visuals and striking animation all following their own unique themes.

Feather: Draw in 3D – Sketchsoft (South Korea)

This drawing tool helps users change 2D designs into 3D art. Focused on creativity and user experience, Feather allows all skill levels to create detailed 3D models on iPad using touch and Apple Pencil.

Infinity Nikki – Infold Games (Singapore)

Infinity Nikki is a visually stunning open-world game where players collect treasures. It features magical outfits, whimsical creatures, and delightful surprises.

Finalists include Vocabulary by Monkey Taps, CellWalk by Timothy Davison, Control Ultimate Edition by Remedy Entertainment PLC and Neva by Devolver Digital.

Learn more about the Apple Design Award winners and finalists by visiting the official page or the Apple Developer app.

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