Buy it once (or more) to play anywhere
When Google announced it last year Opening the door to all Android games on Windowsthings didn’t quite work out that way. This should do easy though. None of these “Windows” games are actually built for Windows – Play Games uses virtualization to run a lightweight Android OS in a container for games. Hypothetically, all Android games should work, but there are still some big gaps.
For example, Play Games for Windows doesn’t support paid games outside of Play Pass until now, and even lacks some Play Pass content. In the latter case, it may be because the developers gave up. Google now says that developers can choose to have Play Pass content on both platforms. Regardless, Play Games for PC’s selection of free-to-play microtransaction factories didn’t exactly scream “premium experience.”
We should start seeing more paid games for Windows, but Google is going about it in a weird way. Although these are still Android games, Google is treating Windows as a separate platform. So it announced, “Buy once, play anywhere.” The idea is that developers can offer premium games on Google Play that include both Android and Windows access.
Everything you buy on mobile devices is always available on all other Android phones and tablets, but apparently not the same for Windows. Developers have to join this program to offer cross-buy functionality, and it doesn’t work for games you’ve previously purchased on Android. In addition, premium upgrades purchased on Android are not necessarily performed. Google says the update depends on developer support and has nothing to do with the new cross-buy program.
Google is making strides in building its desktop game catalog, but it still has a long way to go to attract any new players. In the distant past, Google could simply feature all mobile games on PC and call it a day, but Gaming on PC isn’t turning into the Wild West. Google today is more thoughtful and curious controls how programs are distributed. This is another example of that mentality.
Updated 3/11 at 9pm ET with additional comment from Google.
