Google brings gameplay recording to Android via Play Games app

Google has announced an update to the Play Games app on Android that makes it possible to record gameplay on smartphones and tablets running the OS. Users can also record commentary with image and sound.

The intention is that the app will allow users to record and upload full-fledged gameplay videos and share them with others. It’s about moments and not about live streaming hours of playing time. Images can be recorded in 720p or 480p resolution. In addition, the front camera and microphone can be switched on to capture the gamer’s face during gameplay, especially for commentary.

Users can edit the videos before uploading, but for now it’s just simple editing tasks like cutting and trimming. The functionality will be coming to users of the Play Games app in the US and UK in the coming days, “soon after” Google will bring the update to other countries. According to the company, gameplay videos are popular: YouTube users are said to watch more than 144 billion minutes of game videos and streams every month.

Google Play Games is Google’s gaming platform. Using the app, gamers can see achievements of all their installed games at a glance. The app also shows games from friends.