Games can be played as soon as they are downloaded
With Android 12, Google is bringing a new function to Google Play: You can play the game you want while the download is in progress. Google calls the function “Play as you Download”.
On Monday, Google announced new functions for developers and users as part of its Games Developer Summit. From the user’s point of view, the so-called “Play as you Download” function is one of the highlights, which is intended to drastically reduce the waiting time between the download and the start of the game.
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“Play as you Download” – Android 12 doesn’t need the entire game to play
How Google explains, the new function should reduce the time it takes to start the game by around half. According to the developer, in order to be able to play a game while it is being downloaded, the game engine, the interface, the first level and, if necessary, the start sequence are downloaded first. This means that the elements relevant to the game start are quickly available on the smartphone.
The other components of the game are loaded in the background. Ultimately, these are additional levels, graphics, sound, music and finished video clips that make up the largest amount of data in a game.
In an animated gif, Google demonstrates how fast the new function is compared to the previous method of full download. In the case of a game with a size of 130 megabytes, it can already be played for around 20 percent after the download.
Android 12 brings among other things “Play as you Download”. (Image: Google)
“Play as you Download” – Android 12 requirement
The fact that Android 12 is required for the new “Play as you Download” function is due to a new file system that will only be introduced with the upcoming Incremental FS operating system. Furthermore, Google’s app bundle format AAB, which will be required for new applications from August, will be required, which will replace the previous APK format.
In order for “Play as you Download” to work, developers have to adapt their applications accordingly at the beginning. Later this extra effort is no longer necessary, since the function will become the new standard.
In the course of the games developer event, Google also announced a new game dashboard for Android 12. Among other things, it supports easier access to utilities such as screenshots and casts. The new dashboard will be available on “selected devices” later this year, says Google. It is quite conceivable that it could initially be an exclusive feature for the upcoming Pixel 6 models.
Android 12 is expected to be available for download as the final version in the course of September. As a rule, it starts with Google’s pixel smartphones. The other manufacturers postpone the major update for their devices with a little to long delay.
