Google has announced that all Android mobile games will now be available on Google Play Games for PC unless developers choose to opt out. This marks a shift from the previous policy, which required developers or publishers to opt in. The change could significantly expand the game library on the platform ahead of next week’s GDC game developers conference.
New Badges and Expanded Availability
Google Play Games launched in beta in 2022 to bring Android games to PC, and since then, the company has steadily expanded its offerings. To help players identify compatible games, Google has introduced new “playability badges.” According to Aurash Mahbod, general manager of games at Google Play, the “optimized” badge signifies that a game meets high-quality standards for PC gameplay, while the “playable” badge means the game meets minimum requirements. Games labeled “unverified” will only appear in store search results. These badges resemble Steam’s system for indicating compatibility with Steam Deck.
Beyond expanding Android games, Google is also working to bring native PC games to the Google Play Games service. Currently, there are more than 50 native PC games on the platform, and this year, Google plans to open the program to all PC game developers, allowing them to publish and host their games on Google Play Games for PC.
Wider Integration and Future Updates
Google is also extending Play Games’ availability from a limited selection on AMD laptops and desktops to a broader catalog, adds NIXSOLUTIONS. Mahbod mentioned that Google is collaborating with PC manufacturers to integrate Google Play Games directly into the Start menu on new devices launching this year. Additionally, multiple Google Play Games accounts will be supported on PC starting this month.
According to Mahbod, Google Play Games on PC will be generally available later this year. We’ll keep you updated as more integrations become available.