Google Play Games is taking a major step forward on PC, making all Android games available by default on its platform—unless developers explicitly opt out.
This marks a significant shift from its beta launch in 2022, when only a curated selection of games was accessible. Previously, developers had to opt in to bring their titles to PC, but with this change, the platform's game library on Windows PCs is set to expand dramatically.
New Playability Badges & Developer Tools
To help users navigate the growing catalog, Google has introduced "playability badges" that indicate how well a game runs on PC (similar to Steam Deck Verified):
"Optimized" for games that meet high-quality performance standards.
"Playable" for those that meet minimum requirements.
"Untested” for those yet to meet minimum requirements.
For developers, Google is rolling out new tools to simplify cross-platform development, including a dedicated SDK for native PC games with integrated purchase options and Play Console updates for managing builds across mobile and PC.
Google Play Games Competes with Steam & Epic
In addition to mobile titles, Google Play Games now supports native PC games, positioning it as a potential competitor to Steam and Epic Games. Google reports that more than 50 native PC games are already on the platform, and later this year, all PC developers will be able to bring their games to Google Play Games on PC.
Other key updates include:
Multi-account and multi-instance support
Custom control mapping
Pre-installed Google Play Games on new PCs starting in 2025
Bridging Mobile & PC Gaming
Although still labeled as a beta in some areas, Google Play Games is moving toward general availability later this year. The platform promises a seamless cross-platform experience, allowing players to sync progress between mobile and PC.
Google is also expanding hardware support. Previously limited to a few AMD devices, the full catalog will now be available on AMD laptops and desktops. Additionally, Google is partnering with PC manufacturers to integrate Google Play Games directly into the Start menu on new computers.
This expansion underscores Google’s ambition to bridge mobile and PC gaming, leveraging its massive Android game library to reach more players with larger screens and improved controls.
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