Posted by Aurash Mahbod – General Manager, Google Play Games
We’re on a mission to make Google Play the best place for gaming, and your amazing games make that possible. That’s why we’re investing in tools that help you achieve more by increasing user engagement, accelerating business growth, and maximizing reach.
Today we shared more details about these investments at the Google for Games Developer Summit. Check out the on-demand Keynote sessions or continue reading for key product updates from the summit.
Different ways to increase user engagement
We know that identity, development, and achievement are important to gamers. Play Gaming Services (PGS) allows gamers to switch between devices and instantly return to gameplay on any device connected to PGS.One. Based on your feedback, we’ve made it easier to integrate PGS and provide a more relevant experience for your users.
- There are no database changes required to integrate PGS, and you no longer need to store associations between your in-game accounts and PGS profiles.
- You can start automatically syncing your users’ login information through PGS, even for users without a profile, so you can sync their progress when they change to a new device.2.
- Throughout the year, we’ll be introducing more ways to create engaging in-game content based on achievement level or game progression. For example, you can create quests within the game to challenge players and unlock rewards using Play Points.
Integrate PGS today to start creating these engaging experiences within your games, and stay tuned for more features coming soon.
We’ve also been working to personalize our store experience to better engage users who already have our games installed. It will be released in earnest starting today. Improve store listing information To display game updates, new content, and promotions more prominently within Playthree. Your store listing page provides relevant content to keep your audience engaged with your game, including the latest YouTube videos, AI-generated FAQs, and more.
These improvements are currently limited to English users and select titles that are part of the Early Access program. If you’re interested in testing an improved store listing for your game and implementing this feature based on your feedback, you can express your interest here.
Expanded Program to Accelerate Growth
We’re also expanding our most popular programs to help accelerate the growth of your business.
- With over 220 million members, Google Play Points is one of the largest loyalty programs in the world. Targeting the majority of ready-to-buy and actively spending users in over 35 markets, Play Points helps you retain users and reach new ones. This year we are excited to announce the following: Google Play Points launches in Brazil.
- Play Points now offers the following features: Set limited quantities for exclusive in-game offers., generate interest and drive participation in limited transactions. These offers were very effective in reaching paying users and driving repeat purchases.
- Google Play Pass, which has grown subscriptions by more than 120% in the past year, is expanding to include in-game benefits for popular games. We plan to launch in-game benefits in 21 markets, including Japan. Play Pass launched in Korea later this year.
A new way to maximize your reach
Lastly, we make it easier for you to scale and grow your multi-platform games across mobile, tablet, Chromebook, and Windows PC so you can reach more users with your game.5.
- We’re also making user acquisition campaigns for PC games easier and more useful. Now you can use: Play Install Referrer API for Google Play Games To achieve closed-loop marketing on PC, you can pass campaign or click information into your game to optimize your marketing campaigns across ad networks, social, and other channels.
For more news about the Google for Games Developer Summit, visit g.co/gamedevsummit. You can also connect with us at GDC in San Francisco. A full-day session will be held on March 19th, followed by a week of product hands-on experience from March 18th to March 22nd at the West Hall Moscone Center in the second floor lobby.
As always, thank you for partnering with us to bring amazing games to players around the world.
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OneSubject to game availability and PC compatibility.
2This feature requires PGS SDK V2 integration. Developers can store a user’s login information in PGS, but can only retrieve this information after the user sets up a profile.
threeFeature availability is limited to English users and select titles that are part of the Early Access program.
4Google internal data. A new buyer is a user who makes a purchase during this pilot after not making a purchase in the past 50 days.
5Windows is a trademark of the Microsoft group of companies.
6Google internal data.