Google is making significant strides with Google Play Games on PC, aiming to bridge the gap between mobile and desktop gaming. One of their major initiatives is expanding the availability of Android games on PC. Starting soon, every Android game will automatically be accessible on PC unless the developer opts out. This is a shift from the previous requirement where developers had to opt in, which limited the game selection.
Pushing to Blur the Lines Between Mobile and Desktop Gaming
Currently, Google Play Games boasts over 50 native PC games, with plans to open up the platform to all PC developers later this year. To ensure users can easily identify which games perform well on PC, Google is introducing playability badges. Games labeled as 'optimized' meet Google's highest quality standards for a superior gaming experience. A 'playable' badge indicates that the game meets the minimum requirements, while 'untested' games won't appear in regular browsing and require direct searches.
This system is reminiscent of Steam's compatibility badges for the Steam Deck. If Google successfully brings a vast majority of its Android games to PC, it could pose a significant challenge to Steam's dominance.
Conversely, 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 PC-to-mobile ports are fully optimized for touchscreens, enhancing the mobile gaming experience.
If Google manages to streamline this cross-platform setup, it could revolutionize gaming by allowing players to purchase a game once and enjoy it seamlessly on both their phone and PC. For more detailed insights into Google's gaming plans, check out their official blog post.
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