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Comment on Why doesn't Steam support Android?

If they start allowing users to install android games, Google is going to stop them from having anything useful in their play store app.

They would have to distribute it independently. Google would have no say in the matter.

what would Steam do if they started getting android-only games being submitted. Or mobile-quality games dominating their store?

…cash their checks? I don’t understand the question. That’s the point.

it might be something they’ve discussed but they would have rather focused on steam deck-type gaming for mobile.

perhaps an ARM-based steam OS+steamdeck approach would make more sense

…why not both?

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UnbrokenTaco@lemm.ee ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

They would have to distribute it independently. Google would have no say in the matter.

That’s exactly my point. The current app lets you buy PC games despite being distributed through the store. If you can buy Android games on it, well, I doubt Google will ignore it. And even if Google was okay with it, there’s no way to easily communicate to users who start using the app there that they need to download another app from a website.

I’m not saying it’s a bad idea. I’m just saying I think there are reasons they haven’t done it (yet?). I think they certainly must have considered it. I’ve certainly been wondering about it for a long while too.

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- Ulrich@feddit.org ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago
  
  That’s exactly my point. The current app lets you buy PC games despite being distributed through the store.
  
  And they could continue doing so while also distributing a separate app independently that allows you to buy Android games.
  
  Notice if you try to buy a movie from Amazon on Google TV they redirect you to the website. They could do the same or redirect you to the non-Google version.
  
  I’m just saying I think there are reasons they haven’t done it (yet?)
  
  I agree, I just find it very curious what those reasons are.
  
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  - UnbrokenTaco@lemm.ee ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago
    I don’t think they would get away with selling games in the app if games were playable on Android (demonstrating Android compatibility). I think they would have to do what Amazon kindle does and tell you to go buy your game somewhere else.
    
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    Ulrich@feddit.org ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago
    
    I don’t think they would get away with selling games in the app if games were playable on Android
    
    I’m saying they would need a separate app to purchase, install and play Android games.
    
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