"Apple's 2025 Design Awards: Balatro, Dredge, PBJ The Musical Win Big"

With the 2025 Apple Design Awards now in the books, all eyes are on this year’s standout winners — a mix of bold innovation, immersive gameplay, and stunning visual design that continues to push the boundaries of what iOS gaming can achieve. Recognizing excellence across a diverse set of categories such as innovation, interaction, inclusivity, and the ever-charming ‘delight & fun’, these awards shine a spotlight on mobile games that go above and beyond.

If you missed the announcements amidst the whirlwind of 2025's gaming news, here’s a quick rundown of the major winners:

Balatro – Winner in “Delight & Fun”

LocalThunk’s critically acclaimed deckbuilding roguelike, Balatro, has taken yet another trophy home. Its transition from PC to mobile was not only seamless but also wildly successful, bringing fast-paced poker-based chaos into the palms of players everywhere. It’s no wonder Apple recognized it for delivering pure joy and addictive gameplay.

PBJ: The Musical – Winner in “Innovation”

This quirky musical puzzler reimagines Shakespeare’s *Romeo and Juliet* with peanut butter and jelly as the leads. A wild concept paired with clever mechanics earned it the Innovation award, proving that sometimes the strangest ideas make for the most memorable experiences.

Dredge – Winner in “Interaction”

Making waves with its eerie blend of fishing and cosmic horror, Dredge delivers a unique experience that translates beautifully to mobile. Its win in the Interaction category is well-deserved recognition for how effectively it immerses players in its atmospheric world.

Art of Fauna – Winner in “Inclusivity”

This charming wildlife-themed puzzle game puts conservation and accessibility at the forefront. Its gentle learning curve and inclusive design made it a perfect fit for this important category, showing that thoughtful development can be both engaging and socially responsible.

Neva – Winner in “Social Impact”

In this emotionally rich action-adventure title, players follow a young girl and her wolf companion through a hauntingly beautiful world shaped by environmental loss. Neva’s inclusion in this category highlights the growing importance of narrative depth and thematic relevance in modern mobile games.

Infinity Nikki – Winner in “Visuals & Graphics”

Love it or not, Infinity Nikki is undeniably a visual masterpiece. With its dazzling fashion-based gameplay and eye-catching aesthetics, it’s no surprise Apple gave it top honors in one of the most visually competitive categories.

Apple Makes Its Mark

The Apple Design Awards continue to be a powerful platform for recognizing the creativity and technical prowess found in iOS titles. This year’s lineup reaffirms that mobile isn’t just a secondary platform—it’s where groundbreaking ideas come to life. Balatro and Dredge, in particular, have shown that even niche genres can find success and acclaim on mobile.

But the story doesn't end here! There are still more opportunities for developers to gain recognition through events like the [ttpp]. If you feel your favorite game deserves more attention, don’t keep quiet—nominate it and let your voice be heard!