Google Play announced the ‘2024 Best Games of the Year’ on the 19th. ‘Cookie Run: Tower of Adventure’ was selected as the Best Game of the Year, and Whoyaho Corp‘s ‘Tanghulu Master’ was chosen as the Best Indie Game of the Year.
Google Play selects and announces the most popular and prominent apps and games in each country at the end of each year based on various categories. Among the ‘2024 Best of the Year’ worldwide, Korean developers were selected in 20 categories, winning the most awards among all countries. In particular, Korean developers won more than 1/5 of all awards in the game category.
The winners of the Google Play App of the Year awards are also used as indicators to examine the app life trends of the year. This year, self-development apps that incorporate advanced AI technology, entertainment apps that enrich your spare time, and transaction apps that help with environmental and economic consumption received special attention.
In the gaming industry, games with immersive stories, multi-platform flexibility, and short-lived casual gameplay have attracted the attention of a wide range of users.
In particular, games that utilize immersive stories and popular IPs that draw players into the game’s story received attention. ‘Cookie Run: Tower of Adventure’, which won two awards for ‘Best Game of the Year’ and ‘PC Game of the Year’, stood out with its diverse characters within the rich world of ‘Cookie Run’.
‘Solo Level Up: Arise’ has been selected as the ‘Story Game of the Year’ for its solid storyline based on a popular webtoon and has been loved by many.
With the official launch of Google Play Pass in Korea, the newly added ‘Play Pass Game of the Year’ category was awarded to Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance TD, which boasts excellent strategic difficulty and the various challenges and fun characteristics of the Kingdom Rush series.
‘Raven 2’ was selected as the ‘Multi-Device Game of the Year’ for its flexibility to be easily played on mobile and other devices. At the same time ‘Squad Busters’, which allows players to enjoy various strategic elements with their team, received attention as the ‘Competitive Game of the Year’ for its emphasis on the multiplayer experience.
Casual games that are easy to access provide a leisurely time to enjoy even in a busy daily life. ‘Unpaljonmantgem’ was selected as ‘Casual Game of the Year’ for its light fun and addictive gameplay, and the indie game ‘Tanghulu’s Master’ was named ‘Indie Game of the Year’ for its popularity among people of all ages. ‘Strategic Team Battle: League of Legends Strategy Game’, which is consistently loved, was selected as ‘Long-run Game of the Year’, proving its long-term popularity.
Shin Kyeong-jun, Head of Partnerships at Google Play Korea, said, “This year was significant because Korean developers produced the most award-winning works worldwide and received great recognition in the global app and game market. I am especially proud that Korean developers’ innovative apps and games have provided users with new experiences in everyday life worldwide. Google Play will continue to do its best to provide a platform where developers and users can communicate safely.”
The awards introduction page in Google Play provides more information about Google Play’s ‘2024 Shining Awards. ‘
