Google Play Games, the Android app that allows users to track achievements and compete with friends, may be headed for shutdown. According to a report by Android Police, key features of the app are being quietly built into the Google Play Store, suggesting that the company may be planning to discontinue the service.

The news comes from coder and APK teardown specialist AssembleDebug, who posted on X that Google hasn't made any significant updates to the Google Play Games app in months. However, AssembleDebug has seen updates to the Play Store app that include upcoming Gamer Profiles and the ability to "follow" other users. The Play Store can already track gamers' achievements, making the Google Play Games app redundant.

Google Play Games was launched in 2013 to compete with Apple's Game Center, at a time when smartphone gaming was gaining popularity. The app allowed users to track their progress, earn achievements, and compete with friends. However, Google has a history of moving features between apps as they age, and it seems that the company may be planning to do the same with Google Play Games.

It's worth noting that the Google Play Games app is different from the company's Google Play Games for PC service, which allows users to play select Android games on Windows computers. The PC service has been in beta for over three years and recently received an update to bring more games to the platform. However, the Android app seems to be headed for redundancy.

This move could have significant implications for gamers who use the app to track their progress and compete with friends. While the integration of features into the Play Store may provide a more streamlined experience, it could also lead to a loss of functionality and community features that are currently available in the Google Play Games app.

Google's decision to potentially discontinue the Google Play Games app is likely a strategic move to simplify its services and focus on more popular offerings. The company has a history of shutting down underperforming apps and services, and it seems that Google Play Games may be the next to go.

As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Google's decision affects the Android gaming community. Will users adapt to the new features in the Play Store, or will they seek out alternative services to track their progress and compete with friends? Only time will tell.