Imagine a world where the boundary between mobile and PC gaming is virtually vague, the game that you are having fun with on your phone now sits on your desktop, boasting enhanced graphics, optimized controls, and an enriched experience. This is no longer a dream and has become a reality, as Google is now establishing a massive footprint in the gaming realm with a collection of new features to cater to developers as well as gamers.
Ahead of the Game Developers Conference (GDC), the tech giant announced key updates to the Play Games for PC project, including new developer tools, cross-platform integration, and fresh game titles. With this, Google stands to enhance the enrichment of the mobile and PC gaming experience while providing developers with further opportunities to reach their audience.
Play Games on PC
Google initially announced Play Games for PC available in beta phase in the year 2022 and gradually expanded it across different regions. Now, the company is soon going to make an announcement for setting it free for general availability later this year. It is a significant milestone on the long path of achieving a barrier-free gaming experience for customers across mobile and PC.
Google has made it a necessity to include all mobile games into the platform automatically that is available on PC through Play Store. However, mobile game developers who prefer to keep their games mobile exclusive may choose to opt out. Optimized games would evidently feature an icon against their listing, while other titles would be marked with a ‘playable’ badge after undergoing testing.
New Tools for Developers
Google has launched a new toolset for developers to create games across multiple platforms. The first one is the new Software Development Kit (SDK) for native PC games being integrated into Google Play Games. This download will include in-app purchase for monetization capabilities, thus simplifying the revenue generation experience for developers. It also allows them to distribute and manage different mobile and PC builds through an upgraded Play Console.
Moreover, Google Play Games on PC now extends device support to AMD-based laptops and desktops, broadening the horizon even more with regards to the compatibility with the ecosystem. Play Games can now also be reached conveniently by users through the start menu on various PC models. For enhanced performance focused developers, Google is rolling out the Vilkan, a Graphics API that promises a much smoother frame rate and much better graphics. Furthermore, the company will also put in ray tracing for enhanced graphic fidelity and is refining the Android Dynamic Performance Framework (ADPF) to ensure even much more responsive gameplay.
New Gaming Titles on Google Play
At the GDC, the company previewed a brief list of PC optimized titles, namely “Game of Thrones: Kingsroad”, “Sonic Rumble”, and “ODIN: VALHALLA RISING”. Using Google’s mobile games porting feature, users on PC will be able to play “Train Sim” and “Pet Shop Fever: Animal Hotel”. Google will also be bringing in selective PC games for the mobile platform, with the release this month of “Dredge” and “TABS Mobile” on Google Play and the mystery game “Disco Elysium” will be available later this year.
Improving User Experience
The focus for Google includes numerous adjustable features for improved playability and customization. Remapping of controls will soon be an option to give the PC player a more personalized experience. A new game sidebar will offer a better allocation of resources for quick adjustments and multi-accounting support for a more convenient way to handle several gaming profiles. Also, Google is trying to make Play Points easier on PC, offering up to 10x points boosters for purchases. The reward should encourage engagement and spendable incentives in the gaming ecosystem.
Through the idea of unified mobile and PC gaming, Google makes a bold statement that stands for something even bigger within the gaming industry itself. Allowing developers the tools, and gamers the flexibility towards breaking the long platform boundaries of game accessibility, Google has further taken a step into the future. The rollout would be interesting to watch, how developers and gamers alike would embrace these possibilities as the initiative is on the verge of general availability from the testing phase.
