Every year, the run-up to Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) brings a moment where the spotlight turns not to hardware or software roadmaps, but to the creativity fueling the App Store. Apple has announced the winners of the 2025 Apple Design Awards, a tradition that honors excellence in app and game development, less than a week ahead of WWDC’s next major keynote.
Recognizing Creativity and Craftsmanship
The Apple Design Awards have become a central pillar in Apple’s relationship with its developer community. According to Apple’s official statement, 36 finalists were chosen from across the globe, with 12 winners ultimately selected for their exceptional design and technical achievement. Each of the six main categories featured one app and one game as winners, underscoring both functional and entertainment-focused innovation.
Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, stated: “Developers continue to push the boundaries of what's possible, creating apps and games that are not only beautifully designed but also deeply impactful. We're excited to celebrate this incredible group of winners and finalists at WWDC and spotlight the innovation and craftsmanship they bring to each experience.”
This Year’s Standout Winners: Balatro and Watch Duty
Among the highlighted winners in 2025 are the game Balatro and the app Watch Duty. While Apple has not released a full list of winners as of this writing, both titles were recognized for their unique design approaches and tangible impact within their respective categories. Balatro has garnered significant industry attention in the gaming sector, while Watch Duty is noted for utility and real-world usefulness, particularly within its core audience.
These selections reflect a wider trend in the App Store: Apple continues to promote varied forms of excellence, with categories typically including inclusivity, delight and fun, interaction, social impact, visuals and graphics, and innovation. By rewarding both games and productivity or utility apps, Apple highlights the breadth of experiences available to users on its platforms.
Looking Ahead: WWDC and the Evolving App Landscape
The timing of the Design Awards is closely tied to Apple’s annual software announcements. With WWDC 2025 slated to introduce platforms updates, including iOS 19 and other major releases, the showcased apps and games may also highlight features or frameworks that will see broader adoption in the year ahead. Developers attending virtually or in-person often reference the winning entries as practical examples of what the new OS versions and APIs make possible.
In summary, the 2025 Apple Design Awards reaffirm Apple’s long-standing emphasis on thoughtful, boundary-pushing software development. Whether through games like Balatro or utilities like Watch Duty, the awards offer a preview of the creativity and technical direction that will be further detailed on the main WWDC stage. As the Apple ecosystem continues to evolve, these recognized projects may provide key insights into the company’s ongoing priorities in design and user experience.