Google Play Games: Android Games Now on PC

Google is making significant strides with Google Play Games on PC, expanding its platform to include a wider variety of Android and native PC games. Soon, every Android game will be available on PC by default, unless developers opt out, marking a shift from the previous opt-in requirement that limited the game catalog.

Pushing to Blur the Lines Between Mobile and Desktop Gaming

Currently, over 50 native PC games are accessible through Google Play Games, with plans to open the platform 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-quality standards for an exceptional gaming experience, while 'playable' games meet the minimum requirements. 'Untested' games won't appear in normal browsing and can only be found through direct searches.

This approach bears similarity to Steam's compatibility badges for the Steam Deck. If Google successfully brings most of its Android games to PC, it could pose a significant challenge to Steam's dominance.

In addition to expanding on PC, Google Play Games is also bringing well-known PC games to Android devices. Games like Dredge are already available, with TABS Mobile and Disco Elysium set to follow later this year. These PC-to-mobile ports are fully optimized for touchscreens.

If Google manages to perfect this cross-platform ecosystem, it could revolutionize gaming, allowing users to purchase a game once and enjoy it seamlessly on both their phone and PC. For more details on Google's gaming plans, check out their official blog post.

Be sure to also read our news on New Star GP, an arcade racing game from the makers of New Star Soccer.