Google Play Games for PC FAQs: How to install, best titles & system requirements

Gone are the days when Angry Birds was the pinnacle of Android gaming. Now, thanks to the strides in mobile processor development, games on your phone can rival the graphics and gameplay of console blockbusters. With sophisticated titles like BGMI and Asphalt 9 seeing millions of downloads, you might wonder if you can enjoy them on a bigger screen. Well, you can – with Google Play Games on your PC.

Google Play Games is a new service that lets you play mobile games on any Windows laptop. Mobile games, even though they are impressive, are designed for mobile chips, so they don’t need much power to run smoothly. That means they can work well on PCs with modest specs. And with Google Play Games, you can do that in a snap.

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In this article, we answer all the questions you may have about this new service.

What is Google Play Games for PC?

Google Play Games for PC is an app that allows you to play Android games on your Windows 10 and higher PC. You can browse, download, and play mobile games on your PC with larger screens and improved controls. You can also sync your progress and game libraries across your devices.

How is Google Play Games for PC different from emulators?

While Android emulators for PC have existed for over a decade now, they are often designed as complete Android experiences that can run all apps you can run on your smartphone – regardless of whether the app actually supports them or not.

Meanwhile, Google Play Games is designed solely for the purpose of running Android games on PC, with all titles on it being specifically optimised for the service. The downside to Google Play Games is that it only supports select mobile games, while BlueStacks can run virtually any mobile app or game. But expect games on the former to run with greater stability since they are specifically optimised for the service.

What are some of the popular Android games that I can play on my PC?

Google Play Games for PC may have just launched in India and is still in beta, but it already offers hundreds of games across all genres, with optimisation for larger screens and improved controls. Some of the most popular supported titles are Genshin Impact, Jetpack Joyride, Summoners War, Cookie Run: Kingdom, Last Fortress: Underground, Top War, Eversoul, Lords Mobile, Asphalt 9: Legends, Grimvalor, Candy Crush Saga, Angry Birds 2, Plants vs. Zombies 2, and Clash of Clans.

The app also supports popular games from Indian developers such as Ludo King and Hitwicket Games.

What are the minimum system requirements?

To download and install Google Play Games for PC, you need to meet the following system requirements:

OS: Windows 10 (v2004)
Storage: Solid State Drive (SSD) with 10 GB of available storage space
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630 GPU or comparable
Processor: 4 CPU physical cores (some games require an Intel CPU)
Memory: 8 GB of RAM

Google said you also need a Windows admin account and that hardware virtualisation must be enabled on your PC. Do note that Google Play Games is not yet available for Mac.

Is there a way to tell if my system can handle a game without installing it?

If your PC doesn’t quite meet the recommended specifications but is still capable of running Google Play Games, you’ll see a warning message saying “This computer might not give you the best experience yet” at the top of the app. Some games are also more demanding than others so if you pick a title like Asphalt 9, you may see a message next to the install button warning you that it “Might not run well on this PC.”

How do I download Google Play Games for PC?

You can download Google Play Games for PC from g.co/googleplaygames. After downloading, run the installer and follow the instructions to complete the installation.

Once the process is complete, you will see a dashboard with a list of games that are available to play on your PC. You can also search for games by name, genre, or developer. To play a game, click on its icon and wait for it to download and install. You can then start playing the game with your mouse and keyboard. The controls are customisable.

Is Google Play Games for PC free?

Yes, Google Play Games for PC is free to use. However, some games may require in-app purchases or subscriptions to access certain features or content.

How is this different from the Google Play Games mobile app?

The Google Play Games mobile app is primarily focused on the instant games experience where you play casual games without downloading them. Google says that going forward, “Google Play Games will refer to the PC experience where you can enjoy your favourite Android games.”

How can I provide feedback or report issues with Google Play Games for PC?

Google Play Games for PC is currently in beta mode, which means it is still under development and may have some bugs or errors. You can provide feedback or report issues by clicking on the feedback icon in the app. You can also join the Google Play Games community forum to share your experiences and suggestions with other players and developers.