Apple is now part of the Game Awards advisory board

Apple has officially joined the Game Awards advisory board, bringing it into the company's fold alongside some of the most important players in the gaming industry – including Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Valve, and many more. This decision aligns with Apple's growing involvement in gaming, particularly through the success of its App Store and its own efforts surrounding Apple Arcade.

The Game Awards are considered the biggest event in the video game industry, comparable to the Oscars in the film world. Every year, the best games, developers, and studios are honored there. Apple's inclusion on the advisory board is a logical step. The company has long played a central role in the global gaming market with its App Store. Now, Apple also wants to contribute to the further development and direction of the Game Awards.

According to the official Game Awards website , discovered by VGC , Apple is now listed as a new advisory board member. The board's role is to support and further develop the event's mission. However, Apple has no influence on the selection of nominees or winners.

Apple and the Game Awards

Apple now sits on the advisory board alongside companies like Activision, AMD, Epic Games, EA, Kojima Productions, Microsoft, Nintendo, Riot Games, Rockstar, Sony, Tencent, Ubisoft, and Valve. With this decision, Apple clearly positions itself at the forefront of those shaping the global gaming industry.

The Game Awards are much more than just an awards ceremony. The show reaches a huge audience every year. In 2024, the event recorded around 154 million live streams – a new record. The 2025 edition is scheduled for December 11th at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

Why this step makes sense

Apple's inclusion on the advisory board comes as no surprise. The company has established a dominant position in mobile gaming through its App Store. Millions of games are played on iPhones and iPads, and for many developers, the App Store is one of the most important platforms.

Apple's membership on the advisory board also demonstrates that the company has long considered gaming strategically. It has been investing in this area for some time and is systematically expanding its position.

Apple's growing gaming activities

A key component of this strategy is Apple Arcade, the subscription service for premium games without ads or in-app purchases. Here, Apple focuses on high-quality titles that stand out for their originality and fun gameplay.

Furthermore, in 2025 Apple acquired the developer RAC7, known for the game Sneaky Sasquatch. With the Game Porting Toolkit, Apple also offers developers the ability to more easily bring games to the Mac or iPhone – a step that facilitates access to high-quality titles for Apple devices.

The Game Awards themselves also reflect Apple's growing presence in the gaming scene. 2024 was a strong year for games on the Mac and in Apple Arcade. The roguelike game Balatro, available via Apple Arcade, was a particularly big winner. It received awards for Best Independent Game and Best Indie Debut and was also nominated for Game of the Year.

Apple is betting on gaming as a pillar of the future.

Apple's inclusion on the Game Awards advisory board underscores that it has long considered gaming a key component of its future strategy. The company aims not only to be a platform provider but also to actively shape the industry's development.

With its growing commitment – from Apple Arcade and new tools for developers to strategic partnerships – Apple is demonstrating that gaming has become an integral part of its brand. Membership on the Game Awards advisory board is therefore more than just a prestige project. It represents the next step in Apple's evolution toward becoming one of the most influential players in the global gaming ecosystem. (Image: Shutterstock / Songquan Deng)