In summary:
- Tech Advisor reports that Google Play Store introduces Game Trials for premium Android games, allowing users to demo paid titles before purchasing with progress transferring to full versions.
- Google expands cross-platform gaming with “Buy once, play anywhere” functionality for select games like Reigns and OTTTD, plus adds a dedicated PC games section.
- New features include AI-powered Play Games Sidekick overlay for gaming tips and Community Posts for player-generated help and advice.
Google just made it easier than ever to play Android games with a series of additions to its Play Store platform.
On the day of the GDC Festival of Gaming, Google has posted an update on its blog to reveal “New ways to try, buy and master paid games with Google Play”.
Perhaps the biggest news here is the addition of Game Trials to the Google Play Store. This is essentially a demo feature that will let you try out premium paid games before you commit to a purchase.
As you’d expect from similar demo functions in competing gaming services, if you choose to purchase the game based on your time with the free taster, your progress will be stored and you’ll be able to pick up right where you left off.
The first of these new Game Trials are said to be rolling out soon to select paid games on mobile.
Cross-play and AI tips
Another major addition is the expansion of Google’s cross-play initiative. You can now buy select games just once on the Google Play Store, and then play it on both mobile and PC.
Initial games to support this “Buy once, play anywhere” initiative include the Reigns series, OTTTD and Dungeon Clawler. There’s also a new dedicated PC games section of the store to aid browsing.
Finally, Google is adding its own game help too, which will provide tips and answers to questions from fellow gamers through Community Posts.
Google has also made its Play Games Sidekick overlay, which supplies AI-generated Game Tips while you’re playing a game, available on select paid games.
Alongside the promise of more premium game releases, including Moonlight Peaks, Sledding Game and Low-Budget Repairs, it suggests that Google remains committed to this whole gaming lark – though gamers with memories of the failed Google Stadia streaming platform will need a little more convincing.
Author: Jon Mundy, Contributor, Tech Advisor
Jon is a freelance journalist who got his start covering mobile games at the dawn of the App Store. He has since covered everything from smart home tech and laptops to food and culture, but always seems to return to his fascination with smartphones.