Will you play Google Play games on your Windows PC?
Google Play games are on their way to Windows PCs, but will you play them?
At the Game Awards 2021, Google announced that it's bringing Google Play games to Windows PCs. This addition will add a massive library of titles to PCs, including the best Android games. We'd like to know if the readers of Windows Central plan to play Android games on their PCs.
"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," said Product Director of Games on Android and Google Play Greg Hartrell to The Verge. "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."
Google didn't share many details about how these games will run on PCs. We know that a Google Play games app will be available on Windows 11 and Windows 10 in 2022. Titles will run locally rather than being streamed. Google did not discuss the software that allows Android games to run on Windows, but the company did not work with Microsoft or any other companies such as BlueStacks.
Microsoft has its own method of getting Android apps to run on PCs, the Windows Subsystem for Android. Right now, only Android apps from the Amazon Play Store are available through the Microsoft Store. The selection of games in the Amazon Play Store is much smaller than that of the Google Play Store. You can sideload Android apps onto Windows, but that has its own limitations.
The question remains if PC gamers will warm up to mobile games running on a computer. There's often a divide between PC gamers and mobile gamers. Additionally, games built for phones don't always scale well to larger screens.
On the other hand, there are thousands of games on the Google Play Store. Even if only a few of them are a hit with PC gamers, it could be considered a win for Google.
Will you play Google Play games on your PC? Let us know in the poll above and explain your thoughts in the comments below.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.