Google is on the verge of completely transforming Android gaming.

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      Android gamers, get ready: Google is set to transform your mobile gaming experience. Today, Google revealed that it will broaden its library to include an extensive array of PC games, along with several other updates that will be unveiled at the Game Developers Conference. The platform already features titles like Genshin Impact and Journey of Monarch, and it’s adding new games such as Sonic Rumble, Odin: Valhalla Rising, and Game of Thrones: Kingsroad.

      Moreover, the entire Google Play Games PC library will now be accessible on a wider variety of devices, including those powered by AMD. Classic PC games like Disco Elysium are also being adapted for mobile, enabling players to continue their adventures on the move.

      With a focus on mobile gaming, Google has introduced enhanced player customization options. Players can easily modify key mappings and joystick positions on-screen, allowing them to set controls in an intuitive manner and switch between joystick and tap-to-move controls seamlessly.

      If you’re a Google Play member, the Google Play Points system is getting an update. You’ll find it simpler to monitor your points balance across both mobile and PC platforms, and new boosters can potentially increase your points earnings up to ten times. You can redeem these points for in-game items, discounts on new titles, and much more.

      And that’s just the news for the PC context. On the Android side, Google announced that Vulkan will become the official graphics API for Android. While it may sound technical, this change enables ray-tracing in compatible mobile games. Google showcased Diablo Immortal, highlighting the player character navigating an icy canyon, with their reflection visible on the walls. They also demonstrated how Vulkan enhances Pokemon TCG Pocket by providing smoother animations and vibrant colors that demand less from the device.

      With the introduction of the Android Dynamic Performance Framework (ADPF), developers can tweak in-game performance according to your phone's temperature. This will help optimize games, ensuring smoother gameplay even on lower-end Android devices.

      The upcoming year promises to be thrilling for Android gamers. The influx of new titles on PC will lead to a larger player base (though Google Play already boasts over 2 billion active monthly users), and...

      Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technologies like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more. If it’s a...

      This $5 Steam game about digging a hole has taken over my life.

      Over the weekend, I attended a friend's surprise birthday party at a bar. Upon greeting him, he mentioned that the event had interrupted his plans for the evening: digging a hole. He told me about a new $5 Steam game called A Game About Digging a Hole, where players dig a hole. I wasn't sure if he was joking or if it was a real game, so I laughed it off and continued with my night. A few days later, I became so engrossed in my Steam Deck that I missed my subway stop and arrived late to a movie screening.

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      The best simulation games on PS5

      Technically, every game is a simulation. However, most tend to be quite unrealistic. Even the finest open-world or survival games gloss over many aspects we typically consider mundane. The simulation genre embraces intricate details and centers the experience around mastering them. While there are many meme games poking fun at simulators, those that treat their subject matter seriously often emerge as some of the best games available on PS5. Whether you are already a fan of simulators or searching for great starting points, here are the best simulation games on PS5.

      Gran Turismo 7

      Avowed is a unique game that allows me to respect NPCs’ privacy.

      Even in the best RPGs, I can never escape the feeling that everything exists to serve me as the player. There's always some level of dissonance I must accept, such as characters on the street sharing their life stories with complete strangers or seeking assistance for personal or perilous tasks. I recognize the challenges of introducing engaging side quests naturally in a game, but the frequent invitation to intervene in the most private moments of characters' lives has never felt comfortable for me.

      Initially, the early side quests in Avowed seemed to follow this familiar pattern. I found myself approaching strangers and intruding into their lives to become their hero. However, one particular early quest broke this mold by treating a delicate topic with the consideration it merits.

      Trouble in Paradis

      Before reaching the first main city in Avowed, I explored several side quests in the open-world. Each quest featured an engaging narrative, often allowing my character to impact the lives of those involved. While this is typical for modern RPGs, I felt that familiar sensation of the game world revolving around me, rather than it feeling like a world that might exist with or without my presence.

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