Google is making significant strides with Google Play Games on PC, aiming to bridge the gap between mobile and desktop gaming experiences. A key development is the expansion of Android games to the PC platform. Starting soon, every Android game will be available on PC by default, unless developers choose to opt out. Previously, developers had to opt in, which limited the number of games available.
Pushing to Blur the Lines Between Mobile and Desktop Gaming
Currently, over 50 native PC games are accessible through Google Play Games, and Google plans to open this up to all PC developers later this year. To help users identify games that perform well on PC, Google is introducing playability badges. Games labeled as 'optimized' meet Google's high standards for a superior gaming experience, while those marked 'playable' meet the minimum requirements. 'Untested' games will not appear in regular browsing and can only be found through direct searches.
This approach is reminiscent of Steam's compatibility badges for the Steam Deck. If Google successfully brings the majority of its Android games to PC, it could pose a significant challenge to Steam's dominance in the PC gaming market.
On the flip side, Google Play Games is also bringing well-known PC games to Android devices. 'Dredge' is already available, and 'TABS Mobile' and 'Disco Elysium' are set to launch later this year. These PC-to-mobile ports will be fully optimized for touchscreen use.
If Google can seamlessly integrate this cross-platform setup, the potential to purchase a game once and enjoy it on both phone and PC without additional effort is exciting. For more details on Google's gaming plans, be sure to check out their official blog post.
Stay updated with our latest news on 'New Star GP,' an arcade racing game from the creators of 'New Star Soccer.'
