Google Play Games Expands Android Gaming to PC

Google is making significant strides with Google Play Games on PC, aiming to expand its gaming ecosystem by bringing more Android games to the platform. But that's not all; Google is also intensifying its efforts to integrate native PC games into Google Play Games.

Starting soon, every Android game will be available on PC by default, unless the developer opts out. Previously, developers had to opt in, which limited the catalogue's size. This change is set to significantly broaden the selection of games available on PC through Google Play Games.

Pushing to Blur the Lines Between Mobile and Desktop Gaming

Currently, over 50 native PC games are accessible on Google Play Games. Later this year, Google plans to enable all PC developers to bring their games to the platform. To enhance user experience and clarity, Google is introducing playability badges. A game labeled as 'optimized' meets Google's high-quality standards for an exceptional experience. A 'playable' badge indicates that it meets the minimum requirements, whereas 'untested' games won't appear in normal browsing and will require a direct search to find.

This system is reminiscent of Steam's compatibility badges for the Steam Deck. If Google successfully ports all or most of its Android games to PC, it could pose a significant challenge to Steam's dominance in the PC gaming market.

On the other hand, Google Play Games is also bringing well-known PC games to Android devices. 'Dredge' is already available, while 'TABS Mobile' and 'Disco Elysium' are slated to join later this year. These PC-to-mobile ports are fully optimized for touchscreen use.

If Google can execute a seamless cross-platform setup, the possibility of purchasing a game once and enjoying it on both your phone and PC without additional hassle could become a reality. For more details on Google's gaming plans, be sure to check out their official blog post.

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