Google is making significant strides with Google Play Games on PC, expanding its reach by bringing more Android games to the platform. But it's not just Android titles that are getting the spotlight; Google is also intensifying efforts to include native PC games on Google Play Games.
Starting soon, all Android games will be available on PC by default, unless the developer opts out. Previously, developers had to opt in, which limited the game selection significantly.
Pushing to Blur the Lines Between Mobile and Desktop Gaming
Currently, over 50 native PC games are accessible through Google Play Games. Google plans to open this opportunity to all PC developers later this year. To help users identify which games perform well on PC, Google is introducing playability badges.
Games marked with an 'optimized' badge meet Google's stringent quality standards for an exceptional gaming experience. A 'playable' badge indicates that the game meets the minimum requirements, while 'untested' games won't appear in regular browsing—you'll need to search for them specifically.
This approach is reminiscent of Steam's compatibility badges for the Steam Deck. If Google successfully ports all (or most of) its Android games to PC, it could pose a significant challenge to Steam.
On the other hand, Google Play Games is also bringing renowned PC games to Android devices. Dredge is already available, while TABS Mobile and Disco Elysium are set to join later this year. These PC-to-mobile ports are fully optimized for touchscreen use.
If Google can perfect this cross-platform setup, imagine the convenience of purchasing a game once and enjoying it seamlessly on both your phone and PC. For more details on Google's gaming plans, be sure to check out their official blog post.
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