Android Games Now Playable on PC Through Google Play Games

Google is making significant strides with Google Play Games on PC, aiming to bridge the gap between mobile and desktop gaming. A major move is the expansion of Android games to the platform. Soon, every Android game will be available on PC by default, unless developers choose to opt out. This is a shift from the previous requirement where developers had to opt in, which limited the game catalog.

Pushing to Blur the Lines Between Mobile and Desktop Gaming

Currently, Google Play Games boasts over 50 native PC games, and later this year, Google plans to open the platform to all PC game developers. To help users identify games that run well on PC, Google is introducing playability badges:

• 'Optimized' games meet Google's high standards for a superior gaming experience.
• 'Playable' games meet the minimum requirements for PC play.
• 'Untested' games won't appear in regular browsing and require direct searches to find.

This system is reminiscent of Steam's compatibility badges for the Steam Deck. If Google successfully transitions its extensive Android game library 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. 'Dredge' is already available, with 'TABS Mobile' and 'Disco Elysium' slated for release later this year. These ports are fully optimized for touchscreen use.

If Google can seamlessly integrate this cross-platform functionality, gamers could enjoy purchasing a game once and playing it on both their phone and PC effortlessly. For more details on Google's gaming plans, check out their official blog post.

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