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...
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