Google Expands Android Gaming to PC with Google Play Games

Google is making significant strides with Google Play Games on PC, expanding its offerings to include a wider array of Android games on the platform. Not only are Android games receiving more attention, but Google is also intensifying its efforts to bring native PC games to Google Play Games. Starting soon, every Android game will be available on PC by default unless the developer opts out. Previously, game developers had to opt in, resulting in a smaller catalogue.

Pushing to Blur the Lines Between Mobile and Desktop Gaming

Currently, Google Play Games boasts over 50 native PC games. Later this year, Google plans to open the platform to all PC developers, allowing them to bring their games to Google Play Games. To help users identify which games run well on PC, Google is introducing playability badges. Games labelled as 'optimized' meet Google's high-quality standards for an exceptional gaming experience. Those marked as 'playable' meet the minimum requirements, while 'untested' games won't appear in regular browsing and can only be found through direct search. This system is reminiscent of Steam's compatibility badges for the Steam Deck. If Google successfully brings all or most of its Android games to PC, it could pose a significant challenge to Steam.

Conversely, Google Play Games is also bringing well-known PC games to Android devices. Dredge is already available, with TABS Mobile and Disco Elysium set to join later this year. These PC-to-mobile ports will be fully optimized for touchscreens. If Google can perfect the cross-platform setup, it would allow players to purchase a game once and enjoy it on both their phone and PC without additional hassle. For more details on Google's gaming plans, be sure to check out their official blog post.

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