Can’t wait for that new Android game? Pre-register for it on Google Play

By Andy Boxall May 11, 2015

google play pre registration feature news terminator genisys revolution — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Looking forward to a major new Android game or app? Good news, you won’t have to remember the date of release, because Google has added a pre-registration feature to the Google Play store. It works like a preorder system for apps, but because you aren’t obligated to buy. It can be used as a helpful reminder for when a much anticipated new game is coming out.

The first app to be discovered using the pre-registration feature is the perfect example of how it’ll work best. The game is Terminator Genisys: Revolution, which is apparently “coming soon,” to the store, and the release date is likely to coincide with the release of the movie. That’s the point when most people will be paying attention, so for developers, getting the word out early about the release will be imperative.

Visit the app’s page and you’ll see a pre-register button where you’d expect to see a download button. Click it and Google Play will send a notification through to your phone once the game is released. Now, the pre-register button is replaced by an unregister button, ready for if you change your mind.

These time-sensitive, major releases fit well with the pre-registration system, but used creatively, it could help smaller studios promote apps which are well-designed or offer unique features. How effective it’ll be at gauging interest is difficult to say, as there’s no commitment to buy the app upon release.

A pre-registration feature isn’t offered by Apple and the iTunes App Store, although films and some TV shows can be preordered prior to release. Will Apple follow Google and add a similar feature to iTunes? Perhaps, but for now this is another feature that separates Google Play from the App Store.

Terminator Genisys, the movie, is due for release at the beginning of July, and you can read about a spoiler-laden trailer here.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Senior Mobile Writer

Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…

Gaming

Can’t wait for Elden Ring? Play these games in the meantime

The Hardern Hero from Mortal Shell wears gold armor and holds an axe.

Elden Ring is the most hotly anticipated game of 2022. It's the next massive game from acclaimed developer FromSoftware, creators of the Soulslike genre, and the game already looks like it's brutal fun. That said, its release is still over a week away. As such, some players might be getting a bit anxious and want to scratch that Soulslike itch prior to Elden Ring's launch.
Those who just can't wait to play Elden Ring -- or those who are just looking for similar games to enjoy alongside it -- should check out these titles. They'll all give players a tough, but enjoyable, time.
Sifu

Released earlier this month, Sifu is an intense action game with a unique hook. Every time the player dies in Sifu, they will age. Players become a little stronger with each death, but also have less health to work with until they die by aging over 80. Sifu rewards dedication and memorization as players are forced to learn the right combos and routes through levels if they want to beat each level's boss before dying of old age. Fans of FromSoftware games will appreciate how Sifu encourages players to get better through harsh punishment for failure. This game can be quite frustrating at first, but once players learn the right strategies it becomes immensely rewarding.
Digital Trends loved Sifu, giving it four and a half stars. "Sifu‘s punishing loop and intense combat are nothing short of brilliant," Otto Kratky's review asserts. "It’s one of those rare titles that doesn’t just want players to do their best; it demands it instead. Falling short of that requirement means the entire experience is going to be that much harder until you start doing better. For a majority of people, that’s not going to translate to a fun gameplay experience, but it perfectly serves the game’s themes."
Sifu will definitely give Elden Ring a run for its money as the toughest game of February 2022. It's available now on the Epic Games Store, PS4, and PS5.
Mortal Shell
Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition - Official Reveal Trailer | PS5
For those that don't want to replay FromSoftware's originals but want something that hits all of the same notes nearly as well, I recommend Mortal Shell. It's a shameless Dark Souls clone, but it makes up for it by introducing some surprisingly solid twists on the Soulslike formula. Players possess the "mortal shells" of dead warriors the gain access to the weapons and abilities Dark Souls players normally associate with certain classes. Players can also harden themselves at any time, even mid-attack.
These small tweaks to the formula add a ton of depth, as players can find and upgrade the shells that work best for them in any situation. The hardening mechanic also means Mortal Shell feels a little more aggressive to play than traditional Dark Souls as players will constantly assess when they should harden or tank and attack for maximum effect. The game is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. It's currently included with Xbox Game Pass.
Skul: The Hero Slayer
Skul: The Hero Slayer - Console Launch Announcement
Skul: The Hero Slayer is more of a roguelike -- a genre where one must replay the adventure from the start when they die -- rather than a Soulslike. Still, those who like games that reward a player's mastery of mechanics will like the punishing roguelike gameplay loop of Skul: The Hero Slayer. It also flips the script of most fantasy adventures as players control a character who'd typically be considered the bad guy. The Hero of Caerleon and Imperial Army unexpectedly attack the Demon King and his forces after a truce, so players take control of a skeleton that can equip different skulls to gain different abilities.
Playing as the villains is a fun change of pace, and the constant skull-switching is reminiscent of class-building in Soulslikes or shell-switching in Mortal Shell. Skul: The Hero Slayer is a tough game where the smallest enemies can give the player just as tough of a time as gigantic bosses if the player isn't attacking or dodging at the right time. Fans of Soulslikes, roguelikes, and pixel art should still get a kick out of this game on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. It's currently included on Xbox Game Pass.
Infernax

Mobile

Google Play Games is coming to Windows PCs in 2022

Image of Google Play game running on a Windows PC.

In one of the biggest cross-platform moves we've seen in a while, Google has announced that it's bringing Google Play Games to Windows PCs starting next year.

The news was announced at The Game Awards 2021 by host Geoff Keighley, who also shared a brief teaser video. While there's not a great deal of additional information available yet, the promise is that you'll be able to play your favorite mobile games on your Windows PC, so it looks like Google won't be holding back on putting its best titles forward for cross-platform play.

Mobile

Pokémon Unite tops the list of Google Play’s Best Games of 2021

Pokemon Unite characters.

In its usual end-of-year retrospective, Google has announced the Best of Play winners for 2021, highlighting key apps and games that Google feels made the most positive contributions to the world of mobile over the past year.
For the first time, Google has also expanded these awards beyond the Android smartphone platform this year to include apps and games on tablets, Wear OS, and Google TV. The awards recognize innovation in app and game development, and in making its selections, Google looks for apps that challenge the norms by “introducing unique gameplay features and giving users never-before-seen experiences.”

Pokémon Unite took the Best Game of the Year award for 2021, beating out top picks from previous years such as Genshin Impact (2020), Call of Duty: Mobile (2019), and PUBG Mobile (2018). Google cited the dynamic gameplay and cross-platform experience of Pokémon Unite as its key merits, while also giving honorable mentions to independent developers that it says are “creating imaginative and personal gaming experiences.” The runners-up this year were notably both indie developers: George Batchelor for Bird Alone and Annapurna Interactive for Donut County.
Masaaki Hoshino, Producer for Pokémon Unite, thanked Google for the recognition, adding, “All of us who worked on the game are very honored to receive such an award,” particularly as this is Pokémon’s first strategic team battle game. “We tried to distill the best parts of the MOBA genre to create a new kind of game,” Hoshino added, while also candidly admitting that he was “unsure if it would be well received by players around the world.” The Pokémon Unite producer says he’s thrilled to have the affirmation that his team is on the right track and plans to continue improving the game and making it even more exciting.
Google Play also acknowledged winners in five more specific categories, including Best Competitive, Best Game Changers, Best Indies, Best Pick up & Play, and, for the first time, Best for Tablets.
Once again, Google also ran its Users’ Choice awards to give Play Store users a chance to weigh in by voting on their most popular picks. This year, the vote for Best Game went to Garena Free Fire MAX. Previous Users’ Choice award winners include SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off (2020), Call of Duty: Mobile (2019), and PUBG Mobile (2018). Although the 2018 and 2019 Users’ Choice matched Google’s own pick for Game of the Year, this is now the second year in which the user vote has gone in a different direction.
As for apps, Google noted that apps focused on personal growth continued to be in high demand throughout 2021, and its top picks reflected that.