Google Play Games SDK adds local multiplayer

Newsbrief: Yesterday, Google rolled out an update to its Google Play Games development toolkit that allows for local multiplayer matchmaking. Prior to that, the service supported only online multiplayer. The toolkit, which offers a raft of services to devs, and to players functions as a game network similar to Xbox Live or Apple's Game Center, can be implemented in iOS, PC, and Android titles. More info is available at Google's developer portal. Gamasutra spoke to Google Play Games' Greg Hartrell earlier this year about the company's aspirations for the service and tools. "Our game services are there, and our game network is there, to bring together this concentrated network of people who love playing games -- to make it easier for someone who is a game creator to reach that highly valuable audience," Hartrell said.