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Local multiplayer support added to Google Play Games

Google has announced local multiplayer support for Google Play Games, meaning better co-operative gameplay on your tablets and smartphones.

As part of the latest Google Play services update, Google Play Games now supports local multiplayer gaming, allowing you to invite your friends into your game.

“Google Play Games has added the ability for players to find each other nearby in multiplayer games with the latest Play services update,” explained the Android Developers blog post. “Through games that support Play Games multiplayer, players can now invite other nearby into the same game when starting a multiplayer session, creating more local competitive and cooperative experiences.”

The technology is similar to that found in the Nintendo 3DS family, which uses its StreetPass feature to find locally based players.

Until now, such a functionality hasn’t been available on Android devices. Now players will be able to enjoy “ambient, real-time” games with multiplayer users.

It’ll work as long as the games utilise Google’s own back-end multiplayer services.

The news come just days after Google confirmed the name of its latest Android iteration, Android 5.0 Lollipop, alongside a slew of new devices – the Nexus 9, Nexus 6 and Nexus Player.

Read more: Best games 2014

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