Google Play has introduced a new feature for select PC and mobile games called "buy once, play anywhere," which is exactly what it sounds like. The new feature launched today after being revealed at GDC 2026, with a selection of titles available for players to purchase either on their mobile device or PC, which can be played across both devices. It also launched Game Trials, letting players try out a paid game before buying it outright.
The Google Play library currently features more free-to-play games than premium, but will be expanding with more premium games in the coming months.
While this may be a new feature for Google Play, it's not exactly a new feature that players have never seen before. Xbox games that have a PC and console version work in exactly the same way, letting you play your Xbox library either on your PC, Xbox console, or through Cloud streaming, if that option is also available.
Like Google Play's version, not every game supports the 'play anywhere' model, but for the 160 million users Google says are playing games through Google Play, it's definitely a boon to know that they won't be resigned to their mobile devices anymore if they also want to take some of their paid titles onto a bigger monitor.
It's also the latest step in Google expanding in the gaming industry and potentially taking steps for its Google Play store to find a more solid footing in PC games. It'll be interesting to see which games hit the Play Store in the coming months.
About the author: David has been writing about videogames, technology, and culture since 2020, with a focus on reporting daily news across multiple publications, including GameDaily.Biz, GameSkinny, and PlayStation Universe before joining Wccftech in 2025. David started contributing as Canada/US reporter for Wccftech's gaming section in 2025. Besides being up-to-date on the industry's movements, he loves interviewing developers, reviewing games, and writing intricate essays about the symbolism and layered meanings to be found in rich narratives as he's done for publications like GamesIndustry.Biz, LostInCult, and others. Outside of games he loves movies, music, theatre, his hometown, and his family, though not necessarily in that order.
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