puffies., a digital puzzle game developed by Lykke Studios, is a finalist for the 2025 Apple Design Award for Inclusivity. The game features a collection of 4,000 virtual stickers that players arrange on digital sheets. It is available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV via Apple Arcade, emphasizing tactile, physics-based interactions and accessible design.
How Lykke Studios Developed the Physics of puffies.
The development of puffies. began with a focus on creating a jigsaw-style experience optimized for touchscreens. According to Lykke Studios founder Jakob Lykkegaard, the team chose puffy stickers as the core mechanic because they provide a sense of nostalgia and tactile feedback that static jigsaw pieces lack.
The studio faced significant technical hurdles during development, specifically regarding the game’s physics engine. Early prototypes caused the 3D-modeled stickers to ricochet across the virtual tabletop. Lykkegaard noted that the team spent three months refining a single interaction: what happens when a player places one sticker on top of another. The developers ultimately opted to have the overlapping sticker return to the edge of the puzzle, a decision that required rebuilding the game’s codebase to ensure the movement felt natural.
Design Philosophy and Accessibility
Lykke Studios, which operates out of Phuket, Thailand, utilizes an unhurried development process. Unlike many mobile games, puffies. contains no timers or "game over" screens. The difficulty of each level is determined solely by the number of stickers included in a pack.
The game’s design prioritizes accessibility to ensure it remains playable for a wide range of users. According to the studio, features include:
- Adjustable snap distances: Players can modify how close a sticker must be to its target spot before it clicks into place.
- Sticker-placement outlines: Visual guides that assist with alignment.
- Finger-offset options: Settings designed to accommodate users with reduced motor function or larger hands.
If the team identifies a valid barrier to play, they build a solution into the game’s settings.
Evolution of Lykke Studios’ Design Language
puffies. follows the studio’s previous, award-winning titles that focus on specific materials and tactile experiences. The development team often begins projects by selecting a physical medium that inspires the game’s mechanics.
| Game | Featured Material | Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| tint. (2022) | Watercolor paint | Apple Design Award Finalist |
| stitch. (2023) | Woven embroidery | Apple Design Award Winner |
| puffies. (2025) | Puffy vinyl stickers | Apple Design Award Finalist |
The studio’s commitment to detail includes hand-drawn cutouts for every sticker to avoid the sterile appearance of automated tracing, and a parallax effect that mimics how light catches on physical vinyl. While the studio’s founders have roots in Europe, the team credits their location in Thailand for providing the creative space necessary to iterate on these small, sensory details without the pressure of rigid corporate milestones.