Google Play Games
Screenshot
The user interface of Google Play Games in dark mode
Developer(s)Google
Initial releaseJuly 24, 2013; 8 years ago (2013-07-24)
Stable release(s) [±]
Android2020.08.20616 / September 1, 2020; 15 months ago (2020-09-01)[1]
Android TV2020.08.20616 / September 1, 2020; 15 months ago (2020-09-01)[2]
Operating systemAndroid
PlatformAndroid
TypeOnline service
WebsiteGoogle Play Games on Google Play

Google Play Games is an online gaming service and software development kit operated by Google, part of its Google Play product line, for the Android operating system. It features gamer profiles, cloud saves, achievements, and social and public leaderboards.[3] The Play Games service allows developers to incorporate the above features into their games without having to develop those features from scratch themselves. The service will launch on Microsoft Windows in 2022.

History

The Google Play Games service was introduced at the Google I/O 2013 Developer Conference,[4] and the standalone Google Play Games mobile app was launched for Android on July 24, 2013.[5] Andrew Webster of The Verge compared Google Play Games to Game Center, a similar gaming network for users of Apple Inc.'s own iOS operating system.[4]

Google Play Games has received updates over the years since its launch, including a screen-recording feature,[6] custom gamer IDs,[7] built-in games,[8] and an arcade for game discovery.

Real-time and turn-based multiplayer services have been deprecated since September 16, 2019. Support for these API functions ended on March 31, 2020.[9] In 2021, Google announced that the service would be made available on Microsoft Windows, introducing a new logo at the same time.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Google Play Games". APKMirror. Anddroid Police. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  2. ^ "Google Play Games (Android TV)". APKMirror. Android Police. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  3. ^ Hartrell, Greg (March 17, 2014). "Unlocking the Power of Google for Your Games, at GDC". Android Developers Blog. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Webster, Andrew (May 15, 2013). "Google announces Play game services, Android's cross-platform answer to Game Center". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  5. ^ Ingraham, Nathan (July 24, 2013). "Google takes on Game Center with Google Play Games for Android". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  6. ^ Curtis, Duncan (October 28, 2015). "Google Play Games: capture and share the moment". Official Android Blog. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  7. ^ Frenkel, Benjamin (February 18, 2016). "Embrace your inner gaming hero with Gamer ID". The Keyword Google Blog. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  8. ^ "Google Play Games gets new mini-games and redesign in version 5.3". Android Authority. November 13, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  9. ^ "Ending support for multiplayer APIs in Play Games Services - Play Console Help". Google Support. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  10. ^ Li, Abner (December 9, 2021). "Android gaming is officially coming to Windows with 'Google Play Games' PC app in 2022". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.

External links


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