Google Play Games Brings Android Gaming to PC

Google is taking significant steps to enhance Google Play Games on PC, aiming to seamlessly integrate the mobile and desktop gaming experiences. One major update is the automatic inclusion of all Android games on PC unless developers opt out. Previously, developers had to opt in, which limited the game selection. This change is set to significantly expand the available game catalog.

Pushing to Blur the Lines Between Mobile and Desktop Gaming

Currently, over 50 native PC games are accessible through Google Play Games. Google plans to open the platform to all PC game developers later this year. To help users identify games that perform well on PC, Google is introducing playability badges:

• Optimized: Indicates the game meets all of Google’s quality standards for a superior gaming experience.
• Playable: Signifies the game meets the minimum requirements for PC play.
• Untested: These games won't appear in regular browsing; users need to search for them directly.

These badges are reminiscent of Steam’s compatibility ratings for the Steam Deck. If Google successfully brings a vast majority of its Android games to PC, it could pose a significant challenge to platforms like Steam.

On the flip side, Google Play Games is also bringing renowned PC games to Android devices. Games like Dredge are already available, with TABS Mobile and Disco Elysium set to launch later this year. These ports will be fully optimized for touchscreens.

If Google can perfect this cross-platform setup, it could revolutionize gaming, allowing players to purchase a game once and enjoy it on both their phone and PC without additional fuss. For more details on Google's gaming plans, check out their official blog post.

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