'Google Play' gets cloud-based saving and synching

Users of mobile devices running Google's Android operating system can soon save and sync their games and avail of multiplayer leaderboards and achievement features on Google Games.

 

Dubbed "Google Play Services," the platform is now rolling out to devices, according to a report on enthusiast site AndroidPolice.com.

 

"The big thing everyone asked for after our initial discovery of Play Games was a save syncing feature, and we're happy to announce that there's some of evidence of that in the new Play Services app," it said.

 

But it also said the latest "Google Play Services," version 3.1.36, may be double the code size of the current Play Services' version 3.0.27.

 

It described 3.1 as a "massive update," with the strings file alone containing 700 entries compared to 300 in the current version.

 

"Who can send you notifications is, of course, managed by Google+. Pressing that button will bring up the usual circle dialog. All Play Games identity work will be done by Google+. Try and look surprised," it added.

 

Other features include in-game chat, achievements, leaderboards, invitations, and lobbies, AndroidPolice.com said.

 

A separate article on T3.com said the service will need notifications to be sent over Google+, Google's social network.

 

It added the new platform "could be likened to that of Apple's iOS platform for games, Game Center." — TJD, GMA News