Google Is Bringing Android Games to PC via Google Play Games

Google is ramping up its efforts with Google Play Games on PC, bringing more Android games to the platform and extending its reach to native PC games as well. In a significant shift, every Android game will soon be available on PC by default, unless developers opt out. This change marks a departure from the previous requirement where developers had to opt in, which had limited the catalogue's growth.

Pushing to Blur the Lines Between Mobile and Desktop Gaming

Currently, Google Play Games boasts over 50 native PC games, with plans to open the platform to all PC developers later this year. To ensure gamers can easily identify games that run well on PC, Google is introducing playability badges. Games labeled as 'optimized' meet Google's highest quality standards for a seamless experience. Those marked as 'playable' meet the minimum requirements, whereas 'untested' games won't appear in regular browsing and require direct searches.

This approach is reminiscent of Steam's compatibility badges for the Steam Deck. Should Google successfully port most or all of its Android games to PC, it could pose a significant challenge to Steam's dominance.

Conversely, Google Play Games is also bringing popular PC titles to Android devices. 'Dredge' is already available, with 'TABS Mobile' and 'Disco Elysium' set to join the lineup later this year. These ports are fully optimized for touchscreens, enhancing the mobile gaming experience.

If Google can streamline this cross-platform setup, gamers could enjoy the convenience of purchasing a game once and playing it seamlessly on both their phone and PC. For more details on Google's gaming plans, be sure to check out their official blog post.

Stay updated with our coverage on other exciting developments, such as the arcade racing game 'New Star GP' from the creators of 'New Star Soccer'.