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Google Play Games will soon be updated with dark mode support and a number of other functionalities, according to a teardown of the latest version of the app performed by Android Police. The code behind the service now includes labels for an alternative display mode that should make the app more usable in low-light environments, i.e. place a smaller strain on users’ eyes in such circumstances. The Alphabet-owned company is also working on new motivational messages meant to encourage players to keep progressing through levels, informing them when they hit a level that puts them closer to a smaller percentile of the global user base. E.g. upon reaching level nine, players will be notified that every fourth Google Play Games user in the world hit level ten.
Some of the changes that are already observable in Google Play Games build 5.10 are YouTube links placed in app descriptions which appear to be generated randomly and are primarily meant to provide users with a way to quickly see some gameplay footage of any particular title they’re inspecting. Not all games have YouTube links yet but every listing on the Google Play Store should eventually be updated with those additions, provided some footage showing it in action actually exists on YouTube. Live action and cinematic trailers that don’t show any gameplay aren’t being suggested to users for the time being.
An autoplay video toggle can now be found under the app’s Settings menu, designed to control the default behavior of gameplay clips shown under the Arcade tab. Besides Cricket, PAC-MAN, and Solitaire, the service now also offers a native Snake experience, whereas a redesigned Search button appeared on the top of its interface, allowing for both manual queries and quick access to download suggestions. The bottom navigation bar has also been changed from black to white and seemingly can’t be reverted. The latest version of Google Play Services debuted on Monday and should already be available for download worldwide by referring to the banner below.