Apple’s top app and game finalists this year include classics like Zoom and New York Times Games

Apple on Monday unveiled its finalists for its top apps and games of 2024, adding a new category for its Apple Vision Pro headset.

The list of 45 apps, which span 12 different categories, highlight a collection of personalized tools and vibrant gameplay.

“From games that transport players to fantastical new worlds, to apps that fuel creativity, these developers are delivering remarkable experiences that captivate and inspire,” Carson Oliver, Apple’s head of Worldwide App Store, said in a statement.

Apple will reveal the winners of its 2024 App Store Awards, which will be whittled down from these finalists, in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, here are the finalists:

iPhone App of the Year finalists:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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

• 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

https://www.fastcompany.com/91236169/apples-top-app-and-game-finalists-this-year-include-classics-like-zoom-and-nytimes-games?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss