iOS Today 784: App Store Awards – Games

Hosts: Micah Sargent & Rosemary Orchard
Date Recorded: December 9, 2025 (Aired January 8, 2026)

Overview

In the second part of their annual App Store Awards coverage, Micah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard focus on the top games recognized by Apple across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Vision Pro, and Apple Arcade for 2025, with additional highlights on culturally impactful and accessible titles. The discussion offers insight into what makes each winner special, their accessibility, pricing, and how Apple selects these editorial standouts.

Main Segments and Key Discussion Points

1. App Store Awards: Selection Process & Philosophy

• Micah explains that unlike developer awards at WWDC, the App Store Awards are “editorially chosen” by the App Store team:

  "They're chosen by the App Store team, and they are all about kind of standout apps and games… the important part is that they're good." (03:01)

• Apple breaks awards down by device, with separate recognitions for apps and games.

2. iPhone Game of the Year: Pokémon TCG Pocket

[02:07–06:49]

• Digital version of the Pokémon Trading Card Game allowing players to open two free booster packs daily and play worldwide (150+ countries).

• Enhanced 3D card visuals and in-game card sharing/trading features.

• Includes both casual and ranked modes, plus collection displays.

  Micah’s perspective on accessibility:

  "I do like the idea that people can play with others around the world where they may not have been able to with the real cards that they have." (03:53)

• Rosemary on resolving long-standing physical card drama:

  "What I really like about this is that (it) solves that problem… the digital version of this solves the fact that somebody else has taken this person's card. … If it's digital, then they've only got the actual trading options in the game, which hopefully means that both of them consent and know what they're doing." (05:02)

  • Notes age suitability (9+), better control over trading, and free model reduces costly physical card entry.
  • Brief mention of loot box controversies and regional legalities.

3. iPad Game of the Year: Dredge

[06:49–11:42]

• Described by Micah as “a dark fishing game” and by Black Salt Games as a "sinister fishing adventure."

• Combines RPG elements and inventory management with an eerie, narrative-driven setting.

• Free to try the first area, with full unlock at $25 and DLC available.

  Micah’s walkthrough:

  "I'm moving around and move to a fishing spot… what did I get? Okay, I guess. No, no, I do want that. Why wouldn't I want that?" (07:56)

  • Emphasis on the unique blend of exploration, story, and suspense.
  • Suitable for those looking for something “pretty creepy” and well-crafted on iPad.

4. Mac Game of the Year: Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultimate Edition)

[12:41–13:26]

• The blockbuster RPG is now highly optimized for Apple Silicon Macs (M1 or later, 16GB+ RAM, 159GB storage needed).

  Rosemary’s requirement warning:

  "You need an M1 Mac or later… you need 159 gigabytes of storage. That is just something you should know…you are not going to be able to download and install that game, which would be really sad. So just make sure you check your computer meets the minimum requirements." (12:53)

  • Brief recognition of its mainstream fame, with Keanu Reeves as a draw.

5. Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year: Porta Newbie

[13:26–15:16]

• Original puzzle game developed for Apple Vision Pro—players guide a beam through obstacles in an AR/VR space using logic and timing.

  Micah’s enthusiasm:

  "It looks like it'd be a lot of fun. I kind of wish that I had… an Apple Vision Pro just because I'd like to play this game. It seems like it would be a good time." (14:11)

  • Free to download with in-app purchases for additional content.
  • Notable for being from an indie developer and for its focus specifically on Vision Pro's capabilities.

6. Apple Arcade Game of the Year: What the Clash

[15:16–17:03]

• Multiplayer PvP chaos from the creators of What the Golf; features 1v1 matches across varied mini-games (tennis, racing, cards, etc.), regular in-game events.

  Micah’s endorsement:

  "You'll be chuckling with your friends, and that's what makes it awesome." (16:23)

  • Praised for creativity, fun, and constant updates.

7. Cultural Impact Winners

[17:03–20:50]

• The hosts highlight Apple’s six Cultural Impact winners, picked for “their ability to drive meaningful change.”

  a. Art of Fauna

  • Puzzle game by Clemens Strasser with exceptional accessibility features—visual and text-based modes, extensive VoiceOver support.

    "It is receiving this award because it genuinely is one of the most accessible games on the App Store…I have adored this game and continue to adore this game." – Micah (18:14)

  b. Chants of Sennaar

  • Linguistic puzzle/adventure around understanding and communication, inspired by the Tower of Babel.

    "Beautifully designed, it has won lots of awards... over time learning what people are saying based on the clues that you get along the way. Super, super cool." – Micah (19:24)

  c. Despelote

  • A narrative game from Panic focusing on shared national experience and the emotional power of soccer/football.

    "It'll get you in the feels for sure." – Micah (20:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Pokémon TCG Pocket and schoolyard drama:

  "…then there is that inevitable moment where somebody gets upset because somebody else stole somebody else's card and then schools ban it again. …This happens every couple of years because 'they stole my shiny.'" – Rosemary (05:03)

• On the addictive nature of Pokémon cards:

  "I watched someone stand…outside of the store waiting for the store to open…just buying every single card pack. And I thought that's a lot of money." – Micah (06:49)

• On Dredge’s mood:

  "I kept calling it a dark fishing game. They call it a sinister fishing adventure. Sinister, that's a word. Pretty creepy." – Micah (11:23)

• On the community behind the Vision Pro winner:

  "It appears to be created by an individual developer, which I always think is awesome whenever those get attention." – Micah (14:25)

Timestamps for Key Game Segments

• App Store Award Selection Process – 03:01
• Pokémon TCG Pocket (iPhone) – 02:07–06:49
• Dredge (iPad) – 06:49–11:42
• Cyberpunk 2077 (Mac) – 12:41–13:26
• Porta Newbie (Apple Vision Pro) – 13:26–15:16
• What the Clash (Apple Arcade) – 15:16–17:03
• Cultural Impact Winners – 17:03–20:50

Additional Sections

iFixit App Update

[23:04–26:46]

• New “FixBot” app brings iFixit's community repair guides and battery tracking to iOS. Uses AI to guide users through repairs (even by images/voice).
• Rosemary:

  "If you help somebody fix their device or you fix your own device, then that's a win, isn't it? And being able to talk to a…AI chatbot to help you work through it, that's pretty great." (25:37)

Shortcuts Corner: Backing up Shortcuts

[26:46–38:01]

• Listener horror story: Apple Watch reset wiped all synced shortcuts.
• Rosemary’s backup solution: Automate regular shortcut backups as files to iCloud or other storage (includes detailed instructions).
• File type: .shortcut
• Avoids relying solely on iCloud sync for backups.

Closing Notes

• The hosts skip “app caps” this week due to the length of the App Store Awards breakdown.
• They invite listeners to join Club Twit for ad-free episodes, extras, and Discord access.
• Friendly banter about text editors in the Club and shoutouts to community members.
• Where to find hosts:
  • Rosemary Orchard
  • Micah Sargent

Summary

This episode is an in-depth look at Apple’s App Store Awards for games in 2025, balancing technical breakdowns and accessible insights. Whether you’re a fan of multiplayer chaos, narrative adventures, or accessible puzzles, there’s a highlighted winner for every kind of iOS (and Mac/Vision Pro) gamer. The hosts also provide valuable tips for backing up your Shortcuts and a preview of new DIY tech tools.