1page.title=Encourage Competition
2page.metaDescription= Bring out the competitor in your users with cloud save, multiplayer game play, and more.
3page.tags="games, games services, play games"
4page.image=/images/cards/distribute/engage/card-game-services.png
5
6@jd:body
7
8
9
10<div id="qv-wrapper">
11  <div id="qv">
12    <h2>Features</h2>
13    <ul>
14      <li><a href="#simplify">Simplify your game development</a></li>
15      <li><a href="#acquire-users">Acquire and engage users</a></li>
16      <li><a href="#socialize">Socialize your games</a></li>
17      <li><a href="#extend">Extend across form factors</a></li>
18      <li><a href="#manage">Manage your games</a></li>
19    </ul>
20  </div>
21</div>
22
23<p>
24  Three out of four Android users download games to their device, making games
25  one the most popular additions to users’ devices. Making your games stand out
26  from the crowd is therefore key to success.
27</p>
28
29<div class="figure">
30  <img src="{@docRoot}images/google/gps-play_games_logo.png"
31        srcset="{@docRoot}images/google/gps-play_games_logo.png 1x,
32            {@docRoot}images/google/gps-play_games_logo_2x.png 2x"
33      alt="" width="170" />
34</div>
35
36<p>
37  Google Play game services save you from implementing popular game features
38  yourself such as achievements, leaderboards, real-time multiplayer, and
39  others. You can also let players sign in using their Google identity and
40  share their gaming experience with friends. And there is comprehensive
41  reporting and statistics to help you track and improve your game’s
42  performance.
43</p>
44
45<p>
46  Start now by visiting <a href="https://developers.google.com/games/services/"
47  class="external-link">Google Play game services.</a>
48</p>
49
50<h3 id="simplify">Simplify your game development</h3>
51
52<ul>
53  <li>
54    <strong>Set up Google Play Games Services:</strong> Use the Google Play
55    Developer Console to manage games services and configure metadata for
56    authorizing and authenticating your game.
57  </li>
58
59  <li>
60    <strong>Use the Play Games APIs:</strong> Start integrating popular gaming
61    features into your games by using the <a href=
62    "https://developers.google.com/games/services/" class=
63    "external-link">Google Play Games Services APIs.</a>
64  </li>
65</ul>
66
67<h3 id="acquire-users">Acquire and engage users</h3>
68
69<ul>
70  <li>
71    <strong>Player Analytics:</strong> View details on multiplayer games,
72    average revenue per paying user (ARPPU), sessions per user, and more; as
73    well as set and monitor daily revenue targets from a comprehensive
74    dashboard of player and engagement statistics.
75  </li>
76
77  <li>
78    <strong>Achievements:</strong> Set goals to encourage players to spend more
79    time in your games and try new features; reward them with experience points
80    that players redeem to gain level-ups in their Play Games profile.
81  </li>
82
83  <li>
84    <strong>Quests:</strong> Offer players in-game rewards and benefits for
85    exploring your game more deeply: use particular items, reach a certain
86    level, or perform a specific game action. And set up quests without the
87    need to release an app update.
88  </li>
89</ul>
90
91<h3 id="socialize">Socialize your games</h3>
92
93<ul>
94  <li>
95    <strong>Leaderboards:</strong> Drive competition among your players with
96    daily, weekly, and all-time leaderboards. Create multiple leaderboards for
97    game levels or other game features.
98  </li>
99
100  <li>
101    <strong>Multiplayer games:</strong> Add the challenge of playing against
102    others to your real-time and turn-by-turn games. Players can invite friends
103    to install your game across form factors and supported platforms.
104  </li>
105
106  <li>
107    <strong>Game gifts:</strong> Drive downloads and engagement by giving your
108    players the ability to send virtual in-game objects to their friends. Also
109    let players request gifts and use gifts as a trading mechanism within
110    games.
111  </li>
112</ul>
113
114<h3 id="extend">Extend across form factors</h3>
115
116<ul>
117  <li>
118    <strong>Saved Games:</strong> Save game states to the cloud and enable
119    players to resume games anytime on any of their devices. Cover images and
120    descriptions show players where they left off and attract them back.
121  </li>
122
123  <li>
124    <strong>Nearby Connections API:</strong> Enhance the experience of your
125    games for Android TV by connecting seamlessly with smartphones and tablets,
126    to use them as second-screen controllers.
127  </li>
128</ul>
129
130<h3 id="manage">Manage your games</h3>
131
132<ul>
133  <li>
134    <strong>Easily update your game metadata:</strong> Simplify your game
135    testing and player account management with the <a href=
136    "https://developers.google.com/games/services/management/" class=
137    "external-link">Google Play games services Management API.</a>
138  </li>
139
140  <li>
141    <strong>Automate your game production and distribution tasks:</strong>
142    Modify listings and upload icons for achievements and leaderboards with the
143    <a href="https://developers.google.com/games/services/publishing/" class=
144    "external-link">Google Play games services Publishing API.</a>
145  </li>
146
147  <li>
148    <strong>Insights and alerts:</strong> Get information on how to improve
149    your multiplayer, leaderboards, achievements, and other game services
150    implementations from the Developer Console.
151  </li>
152
153  <li>
154    <strong>Anti-piracy:</strong> Optionally disable game services for games
155    not purchased from the Play Store.
156  </li>
157</ul>
158
159<h3 id="tips">Tips</h3>
160<ul>
161  <li>The best Google Play game services integrations are highly visible,
162  customized, achievable, and incentivized.
163  </li>
164
165  <li>Prompt players to sign in to Google Play game services when your game
166  launches. This ensures they get access to the game service features, and also
167  maximizes the number of players online and ready to collaborate.
168  </li>
169
170  <li>Avoid creating achievements that rely too much on elements beyond the
171  player's control or cannot be earned once the player has made a decision in
172  your game.
173  </li>
174
175  <li>With Google Play game services, you can add seamless interaction between
176  Android and your games on the web and other platforms.
177  </li>
178</ul>
179
180<p style="clear:both">
181</p>
182
183<div class="dynamic-grid">
184<div class="headerLine">
185<h2 id="related-resources">Related Resources</h2>
186</div>
187
188<div class="resource-widget resource-flow-layout col-13"
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190  data-sortOrder="-timestamp"
191  data-cardSizes="9x3"
192  data-maxResults="6"></div>
193  </div>
194