Android’s rise to dominance around the world shouldn’t be owed only to the companies that created phones and tablets for Google. Developers helped make it the world’s most popular mobile operating system. Since the company knows that, Google’s been hosting an awards ceremony recognizing the hard work developers put in to create quality apps and games for Android. This year, the Google Play Awards are back with new categories and nominees.
The third annual Google Play Awards are set to take place during I/O 2018 next month, and the nominees have been shared with the public. While the winners are selected internally, users helped give the nominees visibility.
Google picks the nominees by examing high star ratings, Android vitals, and major updates. Various teams within the company look at a list of potential nominees and then engage in discussion to bring the list down to five apps or games per category.
Without further ado, here are the nominees for the 2018 Google Play Awards.
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
The company will announce its winners for all of the categories above on May 7. Between then and now, you can visit a special Google Play Awards section on the Play Store to get these apps and games on your mobile device.
After the winners are announced, we’ll pass along the list to you.
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