Google had quite a few announcements to make at its I/O conference concerning its newest Android operating system, Android L. New features include app support for optimizing and customizing graphics, as well as graphics features such as tessellation, geometry shaders and texture compression - features that until now were typically only seen on PC games. Android engineering director Dave Burke went as far as to say that “Quite literally, this is PC gaming graphics in your pocket.”
Also of note are some of the changes being made to the Google Play store. A store update will allow players to have their own Game Profiles which allow them to track and compare achievements (somewhat similar to Apple’s Game Center on iOS). In addition, developers will be given the freedom to create live-operation events (on-going introduction of new quests and challenges) for players which should hopefully lead to long-term engagement for the player and profit for the developer. A game saves function will also be implemented, which will allow the developer to store players’ progress on their end, much like how an MMO might operate by keeping saves server-side.
It appears that Google is borrowing proven concepts from PC and console gaming to enhance mobile gaming with deeper engagement through achievements and higher visual fidelity. Whether this will help mobile gaming shed its image of cheaply produced, un-engaging games - or if it will give Android’s gaming scene a much-needed shot in the arm - remains to be seen, but if that’s to happen then this is a welcome first step.
Shehzaan Abdulla
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