A new range of Google games is coming to laptop and desktop computers as part of a new initiative by Google itself.
Tom Warren at The Verge reports that Google plans to implement this addition of Android games app functionality to Windows PCs sometime next year.
“Starting in 2022, players will be able to experience their favorite Google Play games on more devices: seamlessly switching between a phone, tablet, Chromebook, and soon, Windows PCs,” Google product director Greg Hartrell said. “This Google built product brings the best of Google Play Games to more laptops and desktops, and we are thrilled to expand our platform for players to enjoy their favorite Android games even more.”
The project will reportedly be compatible with Windows 10 and up. The app was made by Google and distributed by Google, without help from companies related to desktop OS design.
Meanwhile, a company called BlueStacks is looking at formulating Android games through a web browser, so that players don’t need a traditional emulation.
Also, Microsoft has plans for Windows 11 – to include an Xbox PC app that will make Windows PCs more like that gaming console.
An Xbox game pass available for several dollars a month will unlock many opportunities to use Xbox games on PCs.
“With the Xbox app, all Windows 11 owners can sync their Xbox gaming credentials to their PC, create groups and chat with friends, listen to music, tweak avatars, and track achievements,” writes Jordan Minor at PCMag Nov. 23. “With the Game Bar utility, you can capture funny screenshots and epic videos, as well as monitor PC system performance. Beyond these supplemental features, the Xbox app offers enticing reasons to make your PC your primary gaming platform.”
Some might think that this type of design is counterintuitive as mobile devices continue to take over – but the picture is really a little more nuanced.
While mobile screens are growing bigger and mobile devices are getting better able to run complicated high-res games, it’s the desktop and laptop computers that have the GPUs for serious online gaming.
“Mobile screens have increased in size and resolution … these breakthroughs, however, cannot fully replace PCs,” writes a spokesperson at InnovecsGames. “The mobile games vs pc games resistance is meaningless when talking about triple-A games demanding supercharged hardware. The games as Battlefield, FIFA, Need for Speed, or Witcher require huge power and high-definition displays to run smoothly. Currently, handheld device makers cannot demonstrate as much power as PC or сonsole makers can. The PC gaming industry keeps going mobile, while mobile and console games expand their reach through PCs.”
Watch this space for more on this type of gaming innovation.
