APK teardown of MyGlass app reveals Game Center-esque service

Google may be expanding its services soon. According to AndroidPolice, there are indications in the recently-released MyGlass companion app for Glass towards Android getting its own Game Center-esque gaming hub.

Android apps are usually bundled with some files for Google’s services, dubbed “GMS”, which originally stood for Google Mobile Services. The name has since changed to Google Play Services, but the acronym remains the same. The files are a collection of Google-powered components that apps can use to sync with Google’s servers.

For example, the Google+ app uses auth to log in to your Google account, maps to display Google Maps and wallet to access your Google Wallet information. The MyGlass app has been discovered to have a lot of services that Glass can’t actually use, with the most surprising one being a “game” folder.

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Game Center? In your Android? It’s more likely than you think!

The game folder reveals a bunch of new services that seem to be in Google’s pipeline for a subsequent update. Some of the more interesting ones include the ability to host real-time matches for games like FPSes, racing games and fighting games. This hints towards Google’s intentions to host the games’ servers on its own end.

Next up are files that indicate similar provisions for turn-based multiplayer games. This would include card games and board games. There are also files for notifications to indicate when it is your turn to play.

Up next are files that hint towards in-game chat. This would be great for people who prefer the social aspect of multiplayer games instead of just killing the other guy. Curiously, however, the files only seem to indicate provisions for in-game chat in real-time multiplayer games, like shooters. Google may eventually add turn-based multiplayer games into the list.

What gaming service is complete without achievements? Some files seem to indicate that there will be support for global achievements, much like services like OpenFeint. The problem with OpenFeint-styled services is that there are too many of them, and as a result, they get fragmented. A centralised achievement system like Xbox Live would be a good thing.

You can invite friends to play in your game. This would make setting up a multiplayer game between a few friends a lot easier than it currently is, where you have to depend on the in-game service to find your friend’s in-game account.

There are also lobbies where you can patiently wait for team-mates or enemies to get into the game, or plan out your strategies.

All of this will undoubtedly attract more game developers to Android. iOS has been the main focus of game developers so far, but Google’s own centralised gaming service could change that.