Google has launched the beta version of its upcoming Play Games app for Windows in select regions, namely in South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. As a refresher, the app will let users officially run Android-based games on PC, thus enabling them to fully utilise the machine’s hardware, peripherals, and higher resolution displays.
Most interestingly, Play Games comes with data synchronization across all devices, which will enable you to carry over gaming progress (including Play Points) from your Android smartphone to PC, and vice versa. Of course, this is only possible if the games are linked to the same Google account. The inclusion of this particular feature is much appreciated, as most Android emulators lack progress-sharing capabilities.
Much like Play Store, the new Play Games app will also serve as a platform for you to download games. However, Google says there are only 12 games available in the app’s library at this time, with more to be added in the near future. Games that are currently playable include Asphalt 9, Cookie Run: Kingdom, Cookie Run: Ovenbreak, Dragon Mania Legends, Gardenscapes, Homespaces, Idle Heroes, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, State of Survival, Summoners War, Three Kingdoms Tactics, and Top War: Battle Game.
On top of adding mouse and keyboard support to Android games via the app, Google is also promising an optimised gaming experience on PC. According to the company, users must have Windows 10 or above, an octa-core CPU, a “gaming-class” GPU, 8GB of RAM, at least 20GB of SSD storage, and hardware virtualisation turned on.
Google added that the Play Games beta is planned to be expanded to other regions soon, but did not mention when that may happen. Those interested to sign up for the test ahead of its availability may do so by clicking the Get Notified button in the page linked below.
(Source: Google [Official Play Games page])
