Google Play Games: Android Games Now on PC

Google is making significant strides with Google Play Games on PC, expanding its reach by bringing more Android games to the platform and introducing native PC games. Starting soon, all Android games will be available on PC by default, unless developers opt out—a shift from the previous opt-in model that limited the game catalog.

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 open the platform to all PC developers, allowing them to bring their games to the service. 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 a seamless experience, while a 'playable' badge indicates that the game meets the minimum requirements. 'Untested' games will not appear in regular browsing sessions and will require direct searches to find.

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 in the PC gaming market.

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

If Google can perfect this cross-platform setup, the potential for seamless gaming across devices is immense. Imagine purchasing a game once and enjoying it on both your phone and PC without additional complications. For more details on Google's gaming initiatives, check out their official blog post.

Additionally, don't miss our coverage on New Star GP, an exciting arcade racing game from the creators of New Star Soccer.