Google has announced that Games will become a new major feature on its online social experience Google+. Thus bringing a whole bunch of “casual” games which can be enjoyed alongside your chat Hangouts, and sharing with Circles – and also lands Angry Birds onto the G’s friend site.
Talk of playtime emerged from the word go, it was quite clear that games were coming to Google+, and it was pretty much confirmed in July by suggestive comments on the site’s help page which implied help may be needed on a games service which didn’t actually exist yet.
The Official Google Blog confirms the confirmation today, and a tab for Games should be appearing on your Google+ page, alongside the Home, Photos, Profile and Circles tabs from today.
Senior VP of Engineering Vic Gundotra blogs of the latest addition in the fight against Facebook: “That means giving you control over when you see games, how you play them and with whom you share your experiences. Games in Google+ are there when you want them and gone when you don’t.” – Clearly continuing that “personalised” feel that was the key point-of-sale for Google+ back at its June launch.
Games include faves such as PopCap’s Bejewelled, Zynga Poker, Diamond Dash, Crime City, and of course, Angry Birds – which first appeared on Google platforms back in May when a version of the popular mobile gaming title was launched – optimised for the Chrome web browser and including Chrome themed levels (we’ll have to wait to see if the Birds land with any unique Google+ flavour later today.
Google got game. But does it have what it takes to stay alive in the social game?
Check out the Official Google statement from Vic Gundotra – here.
The Angry Birds brand is becoming globally recognised and our furious feathered friends will soon (dis)grace the cover of US iconic magazine MAD. Read the Gadget Helpline’s article – here.
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