And the 2019 Google Play Award nominees are...

Posted by Purnima Kochikar, Director, Apps and Games Business Development, Google Play

Drum roll please! To kick off Google I/O this year, the 2019 Google Play Awards will take place on Monday, May 6th. We’re excited to highlight nine categories this year, some familiar and some new, to recognize developers that continue to set the bar for quality apps and games on Google Play.

Building on previous years, we celebrate our fourth year by recognizing some of the best experiences available on Android, with an emphasis on overall quality, strong design, technical performance, and innovation. The nominees were selected by various teams across Google, and meet criteria thresholds covering high star rating, Android vitals, and have had a launch or major update since April 2018.

Congratulations to this year’s nominees below and remember to check them out on Google Play at play.google.com/gpa2019. Stay tuned as we announce the winners of each category at Google I/O.

Standout Well-Being App

Apps empowering people to live the best version of their lives, while demonstrating responsible design and engagement strategies.

• Kinedu by Kinedu
• My Oasis by Buff Studio Co.,Ltd.
• Shine by Shine, Inc.
• SleepTown by Seekrtech
• Woebot by Woebot Labs

Best Accessibility Experience

Apps and games enabling device interaction in an innovative way that serve people with disabilities or special needs.

• Envision AI by Envision Technologies BV
• guiaderodas accessibility by guiaderodas
• Race Together! By digiXMAS
• TintVision by EM-Creations
• WheeLog! By PADM

Best Social Impact

Apps and games that create a positive impact in communities around the world (focusing on health, education, crisis response, refugees, and literacy).

• Bury me, my Love by Dear Villagers
• Plantix by PEAT GmbH
• Reblood by PT Gaya Hidup Sehat
• Think!Think! By Hanamaru Lab
• Wisdo by Wisdo LTD.

Most Beautiful Game

Games that exemplify artistry or unique visual effects either through creative imagery, and/or utilizing advanced graphics API features.

• Asphalt 9: Legends by Gameloft SE
• Badland Brawl by Frogmind
• Chuchel by Amanita Design
• Gorogoa by Annapurna Interactive
• Shadowgun Legends by MADFINGER Games

Best Living Room Experience

Apps that create, enhance, or enable a great living room experience that brings people together.

• ivi by ivi.ru
• Neverthink by Neverthink
• Pluto TV by Pluto, Inc.
• Tubi by Tubi TV
• Viki by Viki, Inc

Most Inventive

Apps and games that display a groundbreaking new use case, like utilize new technologies, cater to a unique audience, or demonstrate an innovative application of mobile technology for users.

• Cube Escape: Paradox by Rusty Lake
• Firework by Loop Now Technologies, Inc.
• Scripts by Language Drops
• Tick Tock by Other Tales Interactive
• Wysker by wysker GmbH

Standout Build for Billions Experience

Apps and games with optimized performance, localization and culturalization for emerging markets.

• Canva by Canva
• Cookpad by Cookpad Inc (UK)
• Garena Free Fire by GARENA INTERNATIONAL I PRIVATE LIMITED
• PicsArt Photo Studio by PicsArt
• Viki by Viki, Inc

Best Breakthrough App

New apps with excellent overall design, user experience, engagement and retention, and strong growth.

• Dave by Dave, Inc
• Khan Academy Kids by Khan Academy
• Notion by Notion Labs, Inc.
• Slowly by Slowly Communications Ltd.
• Tasty by BuzzFeed

Best Breakthrough Game

New games with excellent overall design, user experience, engagement and retention, and strong growth.

• Garena Free Fire by GARENA INTERNATIONAL I PRIVATE LIMITED
• Old School RuneScape by Jagex Games Studio
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery by Jam City, Inc.
• MARVEL Strike Force by FoxNext Games
• Star Trek™ Fleet Command by Scopely

Come back on Monday, May 6th when we announce the winners, and until then, make sure to try out some of these great apps and games on Google Play at play.google.com/gpa2019.

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