Apple has announced its finalists for the 2024 App Store Awards, featuring a remarkable list of 45 apps and games distinguished for their innovation and design. The awards celebrate the best apps and games of the year and they recognize developers who create amazing user experiences. The apps and games also show great design and innovation. As the anticipation builds while we wait for the announcement of the winners, here’s the list of apps highlighting outstanding achievements across diverse categories.
Recognizing Excellence in App Development
Developers from all over the world have a chance to win. This year, there is a new category for Apple Vision Pro highlighting spatial computing. The winners will be announced soon.
iPhone App of the Year Finalists
These apps help people do more in their everyday lives. They have personalized tools and easy-to-use features.
Kino: This app helps you turn everyday moments into cinematic masterpieces.
Runna: This app offers training plans for runners of all levels.
Tripsy: This app helps travelers stay organized and stress-free.
iPhone Game of the Year Finalists
These games have captivating narratives, rich visuals, and compelling characters.
AFK Journey: This game lets you build fantasy worlds with striking battles.
The WereCleaner: This game has comical and creative gameplay.
Zenless Zone Zero: This game immerses players in action-packed storylines.
iPad App of the Year Finalists
These apps inspire creativity and fun.
Bluey: Let’s Play: This app has lovable characters and family-friendly fun.
Moises: This app elevates music practice with AI-powered tools.
Procreate Dreams: This app brings animated stories to life.
iPad Game of the Year Finalists
These games feature dynamic storytelling and beautifully crafted worlds.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage: This game transports players into a world of adventure.
Disney Speedstorm: This game brings exciting racing experiences.
Squad Busters: This game combines competition with playful gameplay.
Apple Arcade Game of the Year Finalists
These games offer epic stories and a refresh of the classics.
Balatro+: This game is a thrilling card game.
Outlanders 2: This game has revamped graphics and imaginative levels.
Sonic Dream Team: This game introduces new adventures.
Mac App of the Year Finalists
These apps deliver powerful tools for various projects.
Adobe Lightroom: This app enhances photo editing with AI.
OmniFocus 4: This app fosters focus with simplified task management.
Shapr3D: This app transforms 3D design workflow.
Mac Game of the Year Finalists
These games bring unique characters, visual style, and endless fun.
Frostpunk 2: This game expands on city-building.
Stray: This game captures mystery and playfulness.
Thank Goodness You’re Here!: This game amuses players with humor.
Apple Watch App of the Year Finalists
These apps provide helpful tools and information on your wrist.
LookUp: This app improves vocabularies with daily definitions.
Lumy: This app connects users to the rhythms of the sun and moon.
Watch to 5K: This app helps runners reach their goals.
Apple Vision Pro App of the Year Finalists
These apps push the boundaries of spatial computing.
JigSpace: This app lets you view 3D and augmented reality models.
NBA: This app redefines how you watch sports.
What If…? An Immersive Story: This app invites you into a new Marvel experience.
Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year Finalists
These games have vibrant scenes and intuitive gameplay.
Loóna: This game has relaxing puzzles.
THRASHER: This game has smooth controls and an alien world.
Vacation Simulator: This game takes you to destinations with funny characters.
Apple TV App of the Year Finalists
These apps bring stunning experiences to the biggest screen in the home.
DROPOUT: This app provides endless laughter and fun.
F1 TV: This app transports fans into the cockpit of a race car.
Zoom: This app keeps groups connected.
Cultural Impact Finalists
These apps and games tell powerful stories and help people make a difference.
App/Game
Description
Arco
Lets players shape their own story.
The Bear
Turns bedtime into a calming experience.
BetterSleep
Helps users sleep better.
Brawl Stars
Delivers quick, action-packed gameplay.
DailyArt
Inspires curiosity about art.
Do You Really Want to Know 2
Addresses misconceptions about HIV.
EF Hello
Empowers language learners with AI.
NYT Games
Unites puzzle lovers with daily fun.
Oko
Makes street-crossing safer.
Partiful
Simplifies social gatherings.
Pinterest
Inspires new ideas.
The Wreck
Tells an intimate story.
The Full List Of Finalists (Source: Apple.com)
iPhone App of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the iPhone App of the Year category empowered users to enhance real-life experiences through personalized tools and easy-to-use features:
Kino, for turning everyday moments into cinematic masterpieces. Runna, for offering tailored training plans to runners of all experience levels. Tripsy, for keeping travelers organized and stress-free.
iPhone Game of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the iPhone Game of the Year category brought players captivating narratives with rich visuals and compelling characters:
AFK Journey, for building enchanting fantasy worlds with striking battles. The WereCleaner, for delivering comical and creative gameplay. Zenless Zone Zero, for immersing players in action-packed storylines.
iPad App of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the iPad App of the Year category inspired imaginative play and creativity:
Bluey: Let’s Play, for delivering lovable characters and family-friendly fun. Moises, for elevating music practice with AI-powered tools. Procreate Dreams, for bringing animated stories to life.
iPad Game of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the iPad Game of the Year category featured dynamic storytelling and beautifully crafted worlds:
Assassin’s Creed Mirage, for transporting players into a world of narrative-driven adventure. Disney Speedstorm, for bringing exciting, high-speed racing experiences. Squad Busters, for combining the thrill of competition with welcoming, playful gameplay.
Apple Arcade Game of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the Apple Arcade Game of the Year category offered epic stories and a refresh of the classics:
Balatro+, for inventing a thrilling card game that’s like no other. Outlanders 2, for captivating players with revamped graphics and imaginative levels. Sonic Dream Team, for introducing new adventures to the characters players know and love.
Mac App of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the Mac App of the Year category delivered powerful tools, helping users tackle projects with ease:
Adobe Lightroom, for enhancing the photo editing process with AI-powered features. OmniFocus 4, for fostering focus with simplified task management. Shapr3D, for transforming the 3D design workflow.
Mac Game of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the Mac Game of the Year category brought gamers unique protagonists, visual style, and endless fun:
Frostpunk 2, for expanding on the city-building genre. Stray, for capturing both mystery and playfulness in its dark world. Thank Goodness You’re Here!, for amusing players with nonstop humor and absurdity.
Apple Watch App of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the Apple Watch App of the Year category provided convenient access to helpful tools and information, right on their wrist:
LookUp, for improving vocabularies with daily definitions. Lumy, for connecting users to the rhythms of the sun and moon. Watch to 5K, for giving runners a boost, all the way to the finish line.
Apple Vision Pro App of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the Apple Vision Pro App of the Year category pushed the boundaries of spatial computing:
JigSpace, for empowering users to view 3D and augmented reality models with ease. NBA, for redefining the future of how users watch the sports they love. What If…? An Immersive Story, for inviting players into a new kind of Marvel experience.
Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year category stunned players with vibrant scenes and intuitive gameplay:
Loóna, for crafting relaxing puzzles to unwind with. THRASHER, for introducing smooth, trailblazing controls and a mesmerizing alien world. Vacation Simulator, for taking players to destinations filled with funny characters and even funnier activities.
Apple TV App of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the Apple TV App of the Year category brought stunning experiences to the biggest screen in the home:
DROPOUT, for providing endless laughter and fun. F1 TV, for transporting fans straight into the cockpit of a race car. Zoom, for keeping groups connected in innovative ways.
Cultural Impact Finalists
Finalists in the Cultural Impact category brought users powerful stories and helped them bring out their best selves to create a lasting impact:
Arco, for letting players shape their own story. The Bear, for turning bedtime into a calming, interactive experience. BetterSleep, for helping users sleep — and feel — better. Brawl Stars, for delivering quick bites of action-packed gameplay. DailyArt, for inspiring curiosity about artistic masterpieces. Do You Really Want to Know 2, for addressing misconceptions about HIV through an endearing interactive story. EF Hello, for empowering language learners with AI-enhanced tools. NYT Games, for uniting puzzle lovers across generations with a daily dose of fun. Oko, for making street-crossing safer and more accessible to all. Partiful,for simplifying social gatherings to foster connection and community. Pinterest, for inspiring new ideas and endless possibilities. The Wreck, for telling an intimate and impactful story via cinematic gameplay.
Apple reveals 45 finalists for the 2024 App Store Awards.
Categories include Innovation, Inclusivity, and Visuals.
Winners will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
Apple’s annual App Store Awards honor the top apps and games that showcase exceptional design and innovation. This year, Apple has identified 45 standout finalists representing the best user experiences on its platform. Each nomination captures the essence of creativity, addressing a broad spectrum of user needs and preferences.
In a statement, Susan Prescott, Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations, reflected on the significance of these awards:
“It’s inspiring to see how developers are using our technology to create exceptional apps and games that enhance the lives of users.”
As Apple ventures into the exciting realm of spatial computing with the Vision Pro, this year’s awards include a dedicated category showcasing the best apps designed specifically for this new technology.
Categories and Notable Finalists
This year’s finalists span multiple categories, each spotlighting a unique aspect of app development. Here are the key categories and some of the notable nominees:
Best iPhone Apps
Kino: A professional video application offering extensive editing tools.
Runna: An app delivering personalized training plans for runners.
Tripsy: A travel itinerary organizer that simplifies planning journeys.
Best iPhone Games
AFK Journey: A fantasy-themed strategy role-playing game.
The WereCleaner: Play as a janitor striving to hide his werewolf identity.
Zenless Zone Zero: A 3D action game set in a world ravaged by disaster.
Best iPad Apps
Bluey: Let’s Play: An engaging interactive game for kids.
Procreate Dreams: A robust tool for creating 2D animations.
Moises: An AI-driven music editing app.
Best iPad Games
Assassin’s Creed Mirage: The latest installment of the iconic series.
Disney Speedstorm: An arcade racing game starring beloved Disney characters.
Squad Busters: A brawler featuring characters from Clash of Clans.
Best Apple Arcade Games
Balatro Plus: A unique twist on card games.
Sonic Dream Team: A fresh 3D adventure starring Sonic the Hedgehog.
Outlanders 2: A town-building simulator demanding strategic skills.
Best Mac Apps
Adobe Lightroom: Known for its cutting-edge AI photo editing capabilities.
Shapr3D: A comprehensive tool for developing 3D designs.
OmniFocus 4: An effective app for task management.
Best Mac Games
Frostpunk 2: A city-building game that incorporates survival mechanics.
Stray: An adventure that allows players to experience life as a stray cat.
Thank Goodness You’re Here: A humorous and cartoonish game set in a fictional town.
Best Apple Vision Pro Apps
JigSpace: A 3D and augmented reality viewing app.
NBA App: Stay up to date with NBA games and stats.
Marvel’s What If..?: A unique immersive experience in the multiverse.
Best Apple Watch and Apple TV Apps
LookUp: Enhances vocabulary by introducing new words daily.
Lumy: Aids users in keeping track of solar cycles.
Dropout: A streaming service bringing back content from College Humor.
Cultural Impact Finalists
This fascinating category recognizes apps that provide powerful stories and meaningful experiences. Notable entries include:
Arco: A tactical RPG where decisions shape the story.
The Bear: An interactive bedtime narrative that fosters friendship.
Better Sleep: A white noise app promoting restful nights.
DailyArt: An educational app delivering daily art history lessons.
The diversity showcased in this year’s finalists reflects Apple’s commitment to fostering innovation and creativity within its developer community. Various developers from around the world contributed to the nominations, illustrating a global reach and interest in app development.
Exemplifying Excellence
The inclusion of apps like Bears Gratitude and NYT Games illustrates the enriching experiences that have become possible through the blending of technology and creativity.
Bears Gratitude captures the essence of reflecting on daily experiences through a charming journaling interface. Isuru Wanasinghe and Nayomi Hettiarachchi, a husband-and-wife team, shared their inspiration for the app:
“Drawing Bear with all his friends helped my own anxiety and made me appreciate the little things in my everyday life.”
Their dedication to creating a supportive space for users emphasizes the powerful connection technology can foster between individuals and their thoughts.
The New York Times has also set a high standard in gaming through NYT Games, which includes popular titles like Wordle. “It’s your puzzle!” said longtime crossword editor Will Shortz, discussing the variety of offerings that keep players engaged, highlighting their efforts to create a welcoming environment for word enthusiasts worldwide.
Technological Innovation at the Forefront
App developments continue to advance rapidly, creating sophisticated solutions for everyday challenges. This year, the Inclusivity category has notable nominees such as Oko, an AI-powered app that helps visually impaired users navigate streets safely. Co-founders Michiel Janssen and Vincent Janssen emphasized their commitment:
“We had to make sure the experience for our users would be perfect.”
Such innovations not only create accessible environments but also empower individuals with varying capabilities.
The Innovation category showcases apps that redefine user experience through advanced technology. Procreate Dreams stands out as an exceptional tool for animation enthusiasts. James Cuda, one of the app’s creators, stated,
“With Procreate Dreams, you don’t need any prior knowledge to animate.”
This democratization of art and creativity enables aspiring artists to express their visions effortlessly.
Looking Ahead
The excitement surrounding the App Store Awards not only highlights the creativity of developers but also emphasizes Apple’s role in fostering an environment where such ingenuity can flourish. As Apple continues to unveil groundbreaking technologies like Vision Pro, the future of app development looks bright.
As the anticipation builds for the announcement of the winners, one thing remains clear: developers from various backgrounds are at the heart of creating memorable experiences that resonate with users. Keep an eye on the App Store, as these awards will inevitably shine a light on the most innovative and user-friendly applications to look out for in 2024.
