App Store Awards: A German developer among the finalists

At the end of the year, Apple traditionally presents the App Store Awards and honors developers whose apps stand out for their particularly good usability, design or innovation. The 45 finalists were announced on Monday. Among them is a German developer with the game "The Bear" from Mucks Games. This is a finalist in the "Cultural Influence" category. A German app was among the winners in 2023.

"The Bear" was already a finalist in the "Social Impact" category at the Apple Design Awards, which were presented during the WWDC developer conference in June. The app with hundreds of hand-drawn animations, specially composed music and a touching story provides a uniquely calming experience that feels like a bedtime story being read to you by a loved one, according to the citation.

Who else was nominated

Regardless of who wins in the end, Apple's nominations are always a source of inspiration for users as to which apps and games stand out from the crowd. The nominees are:

As iPhone App of the Year:

• Kino, an alternative camera app designed to cover professional needs.
• Runna, a fitness app that offers tailored training plans to runners of all experience levels.
• Tripsy, an app for planning trips.

As iPhone game of the year:

• AFK Journey, chosen by Apple for building enchanting fantasy worlds with impressive battles.
• The WereCleaner, nominated for fun and creative gameplay.
• Zenless Zone Zero, a game that immerses players in action-packed storylines.

As iPad app of the year:

• Bluey: Let's Play , awarded for its child-friendly presentation.
• Moises, which uses AI-supported tools to improve music practise.
• Procreate Dreams, an app that brings animated stories to life.

As iPad game of the year:

• Assassin's Creed Mirage, nominated for taking players into a world of narrative adventure.
• Disney Speedstorm, which offers high-speed racing experiences.
• Squad Busters, a game that combines the thrill of competition with playful gameplay.

Mac App of the Year:

• Adobe Lightroom, selected for its enhancement of the photo editing process with AI-powered features.
• OmniFocus 4, nominated for promoting concentration through simplified task management.
• Shapr3D, an app that transforms 3D design workflows.

As Mac game of the year:

• Frostpunk 2, nominated for expanding the city-building genre.
• Stray, a game that captures mystery and playfulness in its dark world.
• Thank Goodness You're Here!, nominated for its amusing entertainment with non-stop humor and absurdity.

More nominations

The complete lists can be viewed on Apple's website. The finalists for Apple Arcade, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Vision Pro and Cultural Impact can also be found there.

(mki)