Around a week ago Google began rolling out their very own Game section for Google+ users world wide. Today all users on the Google+ service should have access to the brand new Games section of their Google+ profile.
Games have become a huge part of social networks, with Farmville being one of the first to bring social gaming to the larger audience on the Facebook platform. Though at this point we’re all becoming a little sick of the constant requests from friends to help a sick calf flooding out Facebook status updates on a daily basis. Is games really the right way to go Google? Well let’s take a look shall we..
The Google+ Games page
The Games Page
This is the Game Stream found by simply clicking the Games button located at next to the Circles button at the top of Google+. Here you can find your played games, along with the latest releases in a great looking featured slider. This is the first thing to set Google+ apart from Facebook, all the games are under one roof. Gone are the days of finding your games by searching for the relevant app page profile. During the roll out of the Games the Google staff made clear that games would not in any way interfere with your regular status updates and conversations. You all know about the Google+ Streams that allow you to separate your social, work and family life right? Well the folks over at Google have worked hard to keep the Games Stream as far away from that as possible, after all we all know you never cross the streams…
The Google+ Game Stream
This is the actual Games Stream, all game notifications, requests and rewards will be posted here, keeping your main Google+ streams clutter free.
Development
Right now there are only 13 games on G+ but that’s about to change, with Google opening their API up to developers in the coming weeks you can expect more and more of your favourite games making their way to your Games page. Much like the Mobile gaming space Google know that the way to get ahead of the competition is to work with developers hand in hand from the very beginning to bring you exclusive titles aimed at G+ users around the world. With Google only charging 5% on purchases made through the social games it gives them an upper hand compared to the 30% Facebook currently charge. Google is offering Developers a better profit and a competitive market which may just put them ahead of other social networks from the very beginning.
Conclusion
The games available on Google+ from day one are fantastic, from Angry Birds to Zombie Lane there’s something for everybody, but the thing that Google has performed above and beyond on, is the ability for non-gamers to simply ignore all of it. Personally I am a gamer and I’m already extremely excited to see what will come of Google+ Games in the coming months!