When Google+ introduced games, it was no surprise since its main competitor Facebook already offered them. Google wanted to make its game section on its social network different mainly in the way it offered games and the types of games it showcased. In the beginning, many big name developers such as Zynga and PopCap jumped on board hoping to benefit from the collaboration.
However, now, as the number of new users joining Google+ has begun to dwindle and the social network has slowed down, it seems a number of game developers are jumping ship.
Why are developers leaving Google+ Games?
PopCap, who is now owned by Electronic Arts, and Wooga have stepped aside and broken off their partnership with Google+ in developing and releasing games on their network. Both companies released ambiguous statements on the split but EA made it clear that the slowing of Google+’s interest amongst users was one of the reasons for the departure.
Google has stated in the past they wish to create one single gaming platform between Chrome and the Android platform. This may have scared off developers investing in Google+ as well because who knows what they would have to conform to in the future? For game developers like EA and PopCap, this could have caused issues with developing popular games like Bejeweled even further.
Since Facebook pioneered how gaming works on a social network, it has been hard for Google+ to keep up the pace. Some estimate that there are over 2000+ games on Facebook for users to take advantage of at any time but Google+ only boasts about 40. While Google+ may still be developing, for some developers like EA and Wooga, it is not happening fast enough to keep up with the demands for their games on other networks, like Facebook.
What’s the future for Google+ Games?
If Google+ wants its Games section to succeed and grow, it has to truly develop it in a way that users want to play games. Right now, users that are utilizing both a Google+ and Facebook profile can simply head over to the latter to play more games. This type of competition leaves Google+ in the dust because they cannot truly compete with such a large library Facebook offers.
Google+ has floundered lately, but it can still compete with Facebook. Will its gaming library ever overtake Facebook? It is hard to tell but unless Google starts stepping up and taking a stand, they will continue to lose not just games developers but users as well.
