Who won the 2018 Google Play Awards this week

Just before its I/O keynote, Google announced the winners for the 2018 Google Play Awards.

The ceremony bestowed awards for nine apps and games that have achieved excellence across various categories. Rather than giving out awards based purely on downloads, Google takes things like ratings, updates, and impact into consideration. There’s even collaboration between multiple teams at the company to decide nominees and winners.

In 2018, the winners might not be limited to apps and games you’ve heard about. That’s what makes the Google Play Awards more interesting. Since the categories tend to be unique, there could be apps and games you end up trying for the first time.

The winners are below, marked in italics alongside their fellow nominees who might have better luck next year.

Best Breakthrough Hit:

– Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp by Nintendo
– Cooking Craze by Big Fish Games
– Empire & Puzzles by Small Giant Games
– Final Fantasty XV Pocket Edition by Squre Enix
– PUBG Mobile by Tencent Games

Standout Startup:

– Astro Mail by Astro Technology
– Canva by Canva
– Drops by Language Drops
– Kredivo by FinAccel
– N26 by N26

Standout Build for Billions Experience:

– Cricbuzz by Cricbuzz.com
– Flipkart by Flipkart
– Mercado Libre by Mercado Libre
– Moovit by Moovit
– Viki by Viki

Best AR or VR Experience:

– ASTEROIDS! by Baobab Studios
– BBC Earth: Life in VR by BBC Worldwide
– Brickscape by 5minLab
– Figment AR by Viro Media
– Porsche Mission E by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porchse AG

Best Community Building Game:

– Clash Royale by Supercell
– Episode by Pocket Gems
– Lineage 2: Revolution by Netmarble Corporation
– Pokémon Go by Niantic
– PUBG Mobile by Tencent Games

Standout Indie:

– Agent A by Yak & Co.
– Bridge Constructor Portal by Headup Games
– Flipping Legend by Noodlecake Studios
– Old Man’s Journey by Broken Rules Interactive
– OPUS: Rocket of Whispers by Sigono

Best Social Impact:

– Forest by forestapp.cc
– Khan Academy by Khan Academy
– Otsimo by Otsimo
– Tala by Tala Mobile
– TODXS by TODXS

Best Accessibility Experience:

– Audio Game Hub by Sonnar Interactive
– Be My Eyes by Be My Eyes
– Open Sesame by Sesame Enable
– Universal Copy by Camel Corporation
– Voice Volume Catcher by Litalico

Standout Well-Being App:

– Clue by BioWink
– Fabulous by TheFabulous
– Headspace by Headspace
– Lifesum by Lifesum
– Simple Habit by Simple Habit

Throughout the week, you’ll see a special 2018 Google Play Awards hub on Android devices. Both winners and nominees are being spotlighted after a tremendous year of success. While the winners are displayed at the top of the hub, the Play Store shows nominees from every category so you can easily pick and choose what apps and games to give a try.

Let us know if there are any apps you thought should’ve earned a win (or even a nomination) but came up short.