How Mobile Game Awards Are Judged & Categories

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide explains how mobile game awards are judged and what the main award categories actually mean, so you can understand the criteria, spot the differences between shows, and even apply your own knowledge when evaluating games. No special tools are neededâ€”just a basic familiarity with mobile gaming terms.

What You’ll Need

A list of the specific awards show you’re interested in (e.g., The Game Awards, Apple Design Awards, Google Play Best Of)â€”each has its own rules.
Access to the official award website or its published judging criteria (most are public).
A basic understanding of game genres (puzzle, RPG, shooter, etc.) and common production terms like “art direction” or “game feel.”

Step-by-Step

Identify the awards show and its structure. Mobile game awards are not one unified system. The Game Awards has a jury of media outlets, Google Play Best Of uses a mix of expert panels and user votes, the Apple Design Awards focus on design and innovation, and indie-specific shows like the International Mobile Gaming Awards (IMGA) use a global jury of industry professionals. Read the official “how it works” page for the show you care about.
Understand the two main judging phases: nomination and winner selection. Most shows first create a shortlist of nominees. This is often done by a jury or a panel of experts who play through submitted or eligible games. Then, winners are chosen either by the same jury, by a public vote, or by a combination of both. The weight of public votes variesâ€”sometimes it’s 10%, sometimes 50%, sometimes it’s just a “fan favorite” award separate from the main categories.
Learn the core evaluation criteria used by most juries. While each show has its own rubric, common criteria include: gameplay quality (controls, mechanics, fun factor, replayability), visual and audio design (art style, graphics performance, sound effects, music), innovation (new mechanics, unique genre blends, novel use of mobile hardware like touch or gyroscope), narrative (story, writing, character development), technical achievement (optimization, stability, loading times, battery usage), and monetization fairness (whether the game feels pay-to-win or respects the player’s time).
Decode the “Game of the Year” category. This is the top prize. It usually goes to the game that scores highest across all criteria combined, not just one standout aspect. Juries often debate whether a polished but safe sequel should beat a rough but innovative new IP. The winner typically excels in gameplay, design, and player reception simultaneously.
Break down genre-specific categories. Awards like “Best Action Game,” “Best Puzzle Game,” or “Best RPG” are judged primarily on how well the game executes within its genre’s conventions. For example, a puzzle game is judged on level design, difficulty curve, and clarity of rules; an action game is judged on responsiveness, enemy design, and combat variety. The jury will usually have genre specialists on the panel.
Understand “Best Art Direction” vs. “Best Visuals.” These are often confused. “Best Visuals” typically means technical graphical qualityâ€”polygon counts, lighting, effects, resolution. “Best Art Direction” means the artistic vision, style, and coherenceâ€”how the game looks as a piece of art, regardless of technical horsepower. A low-poly game with a striking, unique style can win art direction over a photorealistic but generic-looking game.
Know what “Innovation” or “Breakthrough” awards mean. These categories reward games that do something genuinely newâ€”a new control scheme, a new way to tell a story, or a new multiplayer mechanic. They are not about being the best overall game, but about pushing the medium forward. Juries often ask: “Has this game given other developers a new tool or idea to build on?”
Check how “Best Audio” is judged. This includes music, sound effects, and sometimes voice acting. Judges listen for how audio supports gameplay (e.g., audio cues for enemy attacks), how well the soundtrack fits the mood, and whether the sound design is technically clean (no clipping, proper spatial audio on headphones).
Look for “People’s Choice” or “Fan Vote” categories. These are not judged by experts at all. They are purely popular votes, often conducted on the show’s website or social media. They reward marketing reach and community engagement more than objective quality. A game with a huge fanbase can win even if critics panned it.
Read the fine print on eligibility. Most awards require the game to have been released (or fully launched) within a specific calendar year. Some accept early access or soft-launched games, others do not. Some require the game to be available on both iOS and Android, while others accept a single platform. Check the release date window and platform requirements before assuming a game is eligible.

Common Mistakes

Assuming all awards use the same criteria. The Game Awards’ jury of 100+ media outlets is very different from Google Play’s internal expert panel. Always read the specific show’s rules.
Confusing “Best Visuals” with “Best Art Direction.” They are separate categories in most shows, with different judging lenses.
Overvaluing public votes. Fan votes often count for only a small percentage of the final decision, or only decide a separate “fan favorite” award. A game that wins the fan vote may still lose the main category.
Ignoring monetization in judging. Many juries now penalize games with aggressive pay-to-win mechanics, even if they are technically polished. Fairness is increasingly a stated criterion.
Forgetting about platform-specific awards. Apple and Google have their own awards (e.g., Apple Design Awards, Google Play Best of) that prioritize their platform’s features, like widgets, haptics, or foldable support, which are not considered in cross-platform shows.

Tips

Watch the official “how we judge” videos or blog posts. Many shows publish detailed breakdowns of their scoring rubricsâ€”use those as your primary source.
Play the nominees yourself. The best way to understand why a game won is to experience it. Compare it to other nominees and ask yourself which one you’d defend in a debate.
Look at past winners to spot trends. If you see a pattern (e.g., indie games winning over AAA titles), you’ll understand the jury’s taste.
Check if the jury is international. A global jury may value cultural universality, while a regional jury might reward local references or payment methods.
For developers: If you’re submitting a game, read the submission requirements carefullyâ€”some shows require a demo build, others need a press kit, and some charge a fee. Missing a deadline or a required file is the most common reason for disqualification.

Troubleshooting

The awards show doesn’t publish its judging criteria. Then look at the jury list. If the jury is made up of journalists, expect editorial-style judgment based on review scores. If it’s developers, expect more weight on technical execution and innovation. If it’s academics, expect a focus on narrative and social impact.
You can’t find the release date eligibility window. Check the show’s FAQ or past announcements. If it’s not there, assume it’s the standard calendar year (Jan 1 â€“ Dec 31) and that games in early access are excluded unless stated otherwise.
You disagree with a winner. That’s normalâ€”awards are subjective. Read the jury’s post-award interviews or podcasts; they often explain their reasoning. This is the best way to learn how they think.
A category name is ambiguous (e.g., “Best Multiplayer”). Look for a category description on the official site. If it’s still unclear, check past winners in that categoryâ€”the type of games that won will clarify the definition.
The public vote results don’t match the winner. Remember that the public vote may be separate from the jury’s decision. The show may have a “Players’ Choice” award that is the only one determined by fans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are mobile game awards judged differently from console/PC awards?
A: Yes, in practice. Mobile juries often consider the constraints of touch controls, session length, and battery usage, which are not factors on consoles. Also, monetization is a much bigger topic for mobile games.

Q: Do user ratings on app stores affect the judging?
A: Rarely directly. Some shows may look at user reviews as a tiebreaker or to gauge public reception, but the formal judging is based on the jury’s own playthrough and criteria, not on store ratings.

Q: Can a free-to-play game win “Game of the Year”?
A: Yes, but it’s harder. Juries often scrutinize free-to-play games for pay-to-win mechanics. If the game is fair and offers a complete experience without spending, it can win. Several free-to-play games have won major awards.

Q: What’s the difference between “Best Mobile Game” and “Best Handheld Game”?
A: “Best Mobile” is for phones and tablets running iOS or Android. “Best Handheld” is for dedicated portable consoles like the Nintendo Switch (in handheld mode) or Steam Deck. Some shows have merged them in recent years.

Q: How do juries handle games that are updated after release?
A: They judge the version that was available during the eligibility window. Major updates after the deadline generally don’t count for that year’s award, but the game may be eligible again if it gets a significant expansion or relaunch.

Q: Is there a standard scoring system (e.g., 1-10 across categories)?
A: No universal standard. Some shows use a weighted rubric (e.g., gameplay 40%, art 20%, etc.), others use a simple majority vote after discussion. The exact method is usually described in the show’s official rules.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.