Google May Phase Out Play Games App Next—Is Anyone Really Surprised?
Google has become notorious for discontinuing its products, and the latest casualty appears to be Google Play Games. Recent findings from an APK teardown by @AssembleDebug on X suggest that this app may be on the chopping block, with its features potentially integrated into the Play Store. While this news has not been officially confirmed, it reflects a trend where the functionalities of Google Play Games, particularly the ability to track achievements, could make the app redundant for users who primarily rely on it for that purpose. It’s also worth noting that this situation pertains specifically to Google Play Games on mobile devices and is unrelated to Google Play Games for Desktop, which launched in 2022 to allow Android gaming on Windows PCs.
This cycle of product discontinuation is nothing new for Google. The company consistently faces skepticism regarding the longevity of its offerings, as many users hesitate to invest fully in a new Google product due to the risk of future termination. In 2024, Google already killed off seven products, including popular items such as Google Jamboard and Google Podcasts, which have since merged their features with other applications. Interestingly, Google doesn’t just discontinue underperforming products but also popular ones like Google Plus, Google Reader, and Google Stadia.
Despite these trends, it is notable that since Sundar Pichai became CEO, the number of products both launched and discontinued has significantly decreased. Overall, Google has laid to rest a staggering 296 products since 2006, highlighting a pattern that continues to shape user perceptions of the brand.
