Google building its own version of Apple's Game Center for Android - report

As part of Google's race to expand its Android mobile games market to such a point that it can rival Apple's own App Store, the company is currently developing its own version of Apple's Game Center, according to media sources. As reported by Business Insider, "a source familiar with the plans" says that Google is currently working on a native Android app that acts as an equivalent to Apple's own Game Center for iOS devices. The app will include an achievements system, says the source, and online leaderboard rankings, which Android developers will be able to integrate into their games on the platform. Android developers currently must use third-party services such as OpenFeint or Mobage if they want to include such integrated options in their games. With this new app, Google is looking to boost the number of developers building titles for the Google Play marketplace. BlackBerry owner RIM announced its own take on Game Center last week. 'Games', as the new hub is simply known, will be integrated with BlackBerry Messenger and Scoreloop's social gaming network, and marks RIM's newly founded focus on the mobile gaming market.