Google Labs launches Playground for making games from text prompts

[Golden Crow]

Google has announced Playground, an experimental gaming platform from Google Labs for creating, playing and sharing browser games, 9to5Google reports. Google says the aim is to "make game creation more approachable and ignite everyday creativity." It uses Google's Gemini, Nano Banana and Lyria models, along with a "custom harness to make game creation more accessible." The rollout starts in the US

Users start in a chat window and describe the game they want, choosing 2D or 3D and single player or multiplayer. They can remix starter prompts and follow a guided development process, changing physics, rules, characters and environments along the way. Google also previewed an integration with Unity offering "robust, professional-level mechanics, high-fidelity 3D capabilities, and the flexibility of the Unity runtime"

Games play on phones or laptops and can be kept private, shared by link or published to a Playground gallery. Every game goes through safety screening, and users can report problems. Players can rate games, and leaderboards connect to Play Games profiles. Free users can generate games, while expanded access is tied to a Google One membership

The timing is striking after the AI built Taipei GTA browser game reached over a million concurrent players last week. Tools like this could let almost anyone make a simple game in minutes. That is exciting for hobbyists, teachers and young people. It also raises questions about what happens to small indie developers if quick AI built games flood the market

Would you try making a game with a tool like Playground? And will AI game creation help or hurt indie developers?

Google Labs announces 'Playground' for prompt-based game creation9to5google.com