Google is taking significant steps to enhance Google Play Games on PC, broadening its reach to include more Android games on the platform. But it's not just Android titles that are getting the spotlight; Google is also intensifying its efforts to incorporate native PC games into Google Play Games.

Starting soon, every Android game will be available on PC by default, unless the developer opts out. Previously, game developers had to opt in, which limited the number of games available. This change is set to significantly expand the catalogue of games accessible on PC.

Pushing to Blur the Lines Between Mobile and Desktop Gaming

Currently, there are over 50 native PC games on Google Play Games. Google plans to open the platform to all PC developers later this year. To help users identify which games perform well on PC, Google is introducing playability badges. Games labeled as 'optimized' meet Google's high standards for a superior gaming experience. A 'playable' badge indicates that the game meets the minimum requirements, while 'untested' games won't appear in regular browsing and must be searched for directly.

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.

Conversely, Google Play Games is also bringing well-known PC games to Android devices. Dredge is already available, while TABS Mobile and Disco Elysium are slated to join later this year. These PC-to-mobile ports are fully optimized for touchscreens.

If Google can seamlessly integrate this cross-platform setup, imagine the convenience of purchasing a game once and enjoying it on both your phone and PC without any additional effort. For more details on Google's gaming plans, be sure to check out their official blog post.

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