Google has unveiled its highly anticipated "Best of Play" awards for 2025 in India, celebrating outstanding achievements across both applications and gaming titles. The annual recognition program highlights exceptional digital content that has resonated strongly with Indian users through innovative design and cultural relevance.
Indian Gaming Excellence Takes Center Stage
This year's gaming awards showcase a significant trend toward localization and cultural integration. According to Google's official statement, "The year has seen apps and games on Google Play chart new frontiers in creativity and daily impact for users in India. And our winners are engaging Indian users in ways they truly value, with experiences built on deep local and cultural connections as well as a bold embrace of AI."
The standout winner of 2025 is CookieRun India: Running Game, which secured the prestigious Best Game award along with Best Pick Up and Play honors. Google emphasized that the game has successfully built strong connections with local players through its thoughtful design and engagement strategies.
Cultural Integration Drives Gaming Success
Global gaming studios are increasingly prioritizing localization strategies, incorporating cultural details and sensibilities that deeply appeal to Indian gamers. Google noted that "Gaming continues to be a key contributor to India's digital economy, and this year's winning developers reveal they are committed to the country's diverse player base as it grows vital to the global industry."
Several winning titles demonstrate this cultural integration approach. Both CookieRun India: Running Game and Free Fire Max (Best Ongoing Game) have forged strong bonds with Indian players by integrating culturally relevant elements such as character skins featuring traditional Indian attire and regionally inspired soundtracks.
Beyond cultural authenticity, Indian game developers are exploring unprecedented genre variety, significantly expanding the gaming landscape with diverse offerings. Kamala - Horror Exorcism Escape, which won Best Indie Game, delivers a compelling survival puzzle horror experience set against the backdrop of 1980s rural India, breaking new ground in a challenging genre.
Meanwhile, Real Cricket Swipe (Best Made in India Game) celebrates regional cricket culture, featuring nods to beloved local teams that resonate strongly with sports enthusiasts across the country.
Accessibility and Technical Excellence
User accessibility has emerged as another key theme among this year's winners. Both CookieRun India: Running Game and Real Cricket Swipe employ intuitive control schemes—featuring one-touch mechanics and simple swipe gestures—that effectively lower the barrier to entry for casual gamers.
Technical excellence is also being recognized, with Disney Speedstorm (Best Multi-device Game) showcasing robust performance across various device types, including smooth transitions on foldable smartphones that are becoming increasingly popular in the Indian market.
Complete Winners List: Google Play India 2025
Best Game - Cookie Run India
Best Multi-device Game - Disney Speedstorm
Best Multiplayer - 8 Pool Fever - Billard City
Best Pick Up and Play - Cookie Run India
Best Indie - Kamala - Horror Exorcism Escape
Best Story - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Best Ongoing - Free Fire Max
Best Made in India - Real Cricket Swipe
Best on Play Pass - Dredge
Best for GPG on PC - Whiteout Survival
The 2025 Google Play Awards demonstrate the rapid evolution of India's gaming ecosystem, highlighting how both international studios and local developers are creating experiences that resonate deeply with Indian users while pushing technological boundaries.
