When most people talk about gaming, they typically have PCs or consoles in mind. However, there’s one space that many don’t realize has overtaken the gaming world—smartphones, specifically Android devices.
This is what Google is planning to cement its crown as the king of gaming.
Google Play Games, Coming Soon to Your PC
According to The Verge, Google will bring Android games to Windows PCs in 2022. The Google Play Games app will natively run on Windows 10 and Windows 11, with no special integration with the latter. That means that games will run locally and won’t rely on cloud streaming.
Although it isn’t clear how Google will emulate the Android apps on Windows, Google spokesperson Alex Garcia-Kummert said they built the app without support from any third-party company like Microsoft or Bluestacks. That means they probably created an environment to run Android apps from the ground up.
Google also said they’ll distribute the app themselves, so it’s unlikely to be available in the Microsoft Store.
Android Gaming, Now More Convenient
With this news, gaming is now more convenient than ever. Users’ in-game progress is saved across platforms, so if you’re playing on your phone, you can continue it on your computer when you get home.
While many hardcore gamers prefer playing on computers and consoles due to the larger screens and generally better performance, the portability of Android smartphones and tablets is second-to-none. Compared to most laptops, they have superior battery life, and newer-gen mobile chips now rival cheaper processors in power.
With this newfound convenience, Google can entice major game developers to create AAA titles that will work on PC and mobile. And since you can generally find Android games and apps in the Google Play Store, this means these developers will have to make their products available there, further increasing Google’s market share and profit margins.
This development can also sway PC gamers on iPhone to switch to Android, especially those who value playing the same game and keeping their progress across devices.
The Number One Gaming Platform
When you look at the phone in your pocket, you may not think of it as a gaming device. However, the market begs to differ.
According to analytics company Newzoo, smartphone gaming overtook both the PC and console platforms in 2020. Mobile games made an astounding $77.2 Billion in revenue—way more significant than the PC’s $36.9 Billion and the console’s $45.2 Billion. That means smartphones and tablets now corner almost half of the market.
The main reason is that smartphones have the lowest barrier to entry. Consoles typically cost around $300, and a decent gaming PC will set you back by around $500. The chip shortage further pushes the acquisition cost, with scalpers doubling or tripling their retail price.
And while a decent mid-range phone costs $200 to $300, almost the same as a second-hand console, they have more use beyond gaming, and you could easily pocket and bring them around.
Google Play on PC Is a Win for Cross-Platform Compatibility
As some companies increasingly isolate their userbase from other tech providers (ahem, Apple), Google’s recent move is a breath of fresh air. This native compatibility with Windows can make other Android apps available on PC.
This action could open up more markets for Android developers and give Windows users more options when choosing apps. However, we should watch out and ensure that Google doesn’t monopolize the gaming industry.
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