In December of last year, Google announced its plans to bring Android games to Windows PCs with a brand new Play Games application. In line with its promises the company has launched Play Games for PCs as an exclusive beta for select regions. We were fortunate enough to be chosen as part of the limited beta and got on a hands-on experience using Google Play Games for PC. In this article, we’ll review the way Google Play Games performs on PC and compare it with Windows Subsystem for Android in Windows 11 and the BlueStacks emulator.
Google Play Games on PC What’s the Difference with WSA or BlueStacks?
- Gaming Performance
The gaming performance of Google Play Games PC initially exceeded our expectations. To test the gaming performance We played Asphalt 9 Legends on an Intel Core i5-9300H laptop that also comes with the Nvidia GTX 1650 Max-Q GPU and 8GB of RAM. Although the library is not fully functional in the present (more about this later) We noticed less memory usage in Google Play Games while offering more performance. As can be seen in the below screenshots, Google Play Games uses just 700MB of memory while BlueStacks consumes all the memory because of emulation. BlueStacks was able to use more than 3500MB of memory in playing Asphalt 9, the same game we played using Play Games.
While War Planet could be played with occasional stumbles, the gameplay in The Chinese MMO title suffered more frequently frame drops, which ruined the game’s experience. Additionally the keyboard controls did not work in this game, we had to utilize the mouse instead while the arrow keys were advertised as the official method to play the character.
In the case of Windows Subsystem to Android for Windows 11, you will need to download games on a sideload for games you’re interested in. The games available of the Amazon Appstore is limited, and there aren’t any heavy-resource games we can use to test performance on a standard playing field.
For performance issues, so far as BlueStacks is concerned, we played Asphalt 9 Legends on the emulator. The experience was not as smooth as Google Play Games, and we had occasional stutters as well as frame drops. So, we can say that Google has chosen the right method in the form of Play Games, offering smoother Android gaming on Windows PCs. However, the experience is hindered by the absence of several of the most well-known games like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile or Among Us (more on this below).
Google Play Games Winners: Google Play Games
- Keymapping
To play Android games on a computer it is necessary to use effective keymapping software. BlueStacks is the leader in this regard. With BlueStacks powerful keymapping tools, players have the ability to alter the keybinds so that you can assign specific game actions to keys.
In addition, Google Play Games comes in a close second. While it does offer keyboard controls, the keys aren’t remappable as of this time. It is a matter of relying on the default keybindings that the game’s creator has set up and has improved. Keybinding prompts are displayed during tutorials in the game in Asphalt 9, at least that was the case with Asphalt 9 in our short test. It appears that we may have the option to change keys in the near future.
When using Windows Subsystem to Android the majority of games do not have key mapping support, so you’ll need to play using the mouse, which can be difficult enough. When you install BlueStacks you will not just play simple games, but you can also engage in battle royale gaming, such as Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) on your PC using keys that can be customized to suit your needs. This lets you make use of your favorite key combinations to control the character as well as equipment within the game easily.
Winner: BlueStacks
- App Library
One of the major differences among Google Play Games on PC, Windows Subsystem for Android as well as BlueStacks is the app library that they provide. This is how they compete with one another:
- Google Play Games for PC
Like the name implies, Google Play Games for PC is a game-based platform, not apps. There is an apparent lack of well-known Android games currently. Because the platform is still in the beta stage, it is possible that we should consider giving Google Play Games the benefit of doubt and expect for more games in the stable version.
There are some Chinese MMORPG gamesavailable, along with a few actions games as well as strategy. The most well-known game players would be interested in playing on playing Play Games for PC is Asphalt 9: Legends. If you’re a game developer intending to bring the game you developed for Android smartphone game on Windows PCs by using the existing codebase Don’t overlook to check out the Google Play Games on PC demonstration at the Google For Games Developer Summit on the 15th of March.
- Windows Subsystem for Android
When it comes to Windows Subsystem to Android, which is among of the top new features of Windows 11, we are confronted with the same issue with Windows Subsystem for Android. As you may know, Windows Subsystem for Android allows both Android applications and games. Although you can play more games than you can get from Google Play Games, the collection isn’t enough. Additionally, you won’t be able to find games such as PUBG Mobile and Free Fire either.
The bright side is that you can install the Google Play Store on Windows 11 to play all of your favourite games, or even add Android applications on Windows 11. But they’re not optimized and your performance could vary based what game or game type you’re playing.
- BlueStacks
As a pioneer in Android emulators that run on Windows area, BlueStacks has built a strong library of games through the many years. As an emulator you have access to the Google Play Store without resorting to alternatives. In essence it is more likely that you will discover your most loved games on BlueStacks in contrast to Google Play Games or Windows Subsystem for Android.
Winner: BlueStacks
- The availability
When it comes to availability, Google Play Games’ beta is restricted only to Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong at the moment. You must join the beta program, and then join the waiting list to gain access. Google is hoping to expand its available regions in the near future. The process of signing to be a part of the beta program means creating an account on Google account within one of the regions, just as we did to present this overview. Read our guide for installing Android applications that aren’t available in your region for directions to create a separate account and gain access to Google Play Games for PC today.
However, Windows Subsystem for Android’s preview is now accessible in the version stable of Windows 11. However, it’s limited to United States-based Windows 11 customers. However, you can follow our steps to install and use Android applications in Windows 11 outside the US now. In the meantime, if we talk about BlueStacks it’s globally availableto everyone with a reasonably-specced Windows PC can download and install it in order to use Android games and apps on their personal computer.
Winner: BlueStacks
Frequently Answered Questions
Q is Google Play Games for PC available in all countries?
There is no, Google is currently testing Google Play Games for PC in Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Question: Is it possible to download games from Google Play Games for PC?
It’s not clear if it’s an option to download games manually onto Google Play Games for PC currently.
Q Do you think Google Play Games for PC an alternative to BlueStacks to play games?
As of now, Bluestacks still has an advantage due to its library of games as well as keymapping software. We’ll have to determine whether Google Play Games for PC draws the attention of major game developers for efficient optimization.
Google Play Games on PC against Windows Subsystem for Android vs BlueStacks
When we compared Windows Subsystem for Android against BlueStacks in our Windows Subsystem for Android vs BlueStacks article, BlueStacks emerged as a clear winner. However, the situation is new thanks to Google Play Games PC onboard. The games available in Google Play Games PC are optimized and perform superiorly than BlueStacks counterparts. However, BlueStacks is still the most effective software if you want to play Android game titles on the Windows PC. It’s due to its extensive app library as well as its robust keymapping features.
The rollout globally of Google Play Games for PC is something worth watching for. It is interesting to see the extent to which game publishers put in an effort to improve their game specifically for Google Play Games PC. If they do, and we see games like Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG Mobile on Play Games, BlueStacks will face stiff competition in this market. What do you think of this application? Tell us your opinions in the comment section below.
