Google Play bolsters gaming features

At Google’s 2013 I/O conference today (15 May), vice president of Android product management at Google, Hugo Barra confirmed a massive upgrade to Google Play Games services.

For developers Google will be releasing a number of new software APIs that will unify the gaming experience not only across Android devices, but iOS and web devices as well.

The core new API features:

• Cloud save: port data across devices, such as game progression and game states
• Achievements: virtual trophies to encourage play
• Leaderboards: using Google+ circles for public and friend circle score boards
• Multiplayer: A service for matching players through peer-to-peer connections. It will use Google+ to find players among friends and other public players.

Some Android devices have already been seeded with version 3.1.36 of Google Play Games services. Android Police recently got hold of the update file and perused through its contents. Other confirmed features found by Android Police are:

• Icon badges to note if a game is compatible with the Play Games service
• Gamer ranks based on your overall scores
• Chat services (text-only at this point)
• Player Avatars

Sources: Google I/O 2013, Android Police

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