Android Games Now Playable on PC with Google Play Games

Google is making significant strides with Google Play Games on PC, expanding its reach to include a broader selection of both Android and native PC games. Starting soon, all Android games will be available on PC by default, with the only exception being if a developer opts out. Previously, developers had to opt in, which limited the game catalog significantly.

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 developers. To help users identify games that perform well on PC, Google is introducing playability badges. Games labeled as 'optimized' meet Google's stringent quality standards for an exceptional gaming experience. Those with a 'playable' badge meet the minimum requirements, while 'untested' games will not appear in regular browsing and can only be found through direct search.

This approach is reminiscent of 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.

On the flip side, Google Play Games is also bringing popular PC games to Android devices. Games like Dredge are already available, while TABS Mobile and Disco Elysium are set to join later this year. These ports are fully optimized for touchscreen use, enhancing the mobile gaming experience.

If Google manages to perfect this cross-platform integration, 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 the official blog post.

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