Google makes logging into Play Games API easier

Google is making adjustments to Android that ensure that users are automatically logged in to Play Games after logging in once, with every game that supports the api. This is possible because the api requires fewer permissions.

Currently, Android users are required to log in to the Play Games API every time they install a new game. This is used, for example, for the cloud save function and keeping track of achievements. With the changes proposed on the Android Developer Blog, login to the api is no longer per game, but per account.

The simplification of login is possible because the api no longer requests access to the user’s Google+ account; the game services can be used separately. Once a user has logged in, they are given a Player ID, which other games can then automatically log into the Play Games API. As a result, users no longer get pop-ups when starting new games.

Developers can still choose to request access to the Google+ account, if they want to use certain player data in the game, for example. Users can then choose whether to grant or deny this access.

According to Google, it should be possible to disable automatic login through the settings in the Play Games app. Google will not announce when the changes will be made. Users will probably have to wait for an update to Play Games or Play Services.