Google Introduces Gemini-Powered 'Play Games Sidekick' for Android Gaming

Google is turning Gemini into a gaming sidekick with a new Android overlay

Google might have found a way Gemini could be useful while you're playing games on your phone. The company is introducing a new software overlay today it calls the Play Games Sidekick that gives you access to Gemini Live while you play, alongside a host of other gaming-focused updates to Google Play that could make the app platform a better home for gamers. Sidekick exists as a small, moveable tab in games downloaded from the Play Store that you can slide over to show relevant info and tools for whatever game you're playing. By default, that's things like easy access to a screenshot button, screen recording tools and a shortcut for going live on YouTube, but you'll see achievements and other game stats in there, too. Google is clearly most interested in how Sidekick could serve as a delivery system for Gemini, though, so AI plays a large role in how Sidekick actually helps you while you play. That includes offering a curated selection of game tips that you can swipe through, and a big button that you can press that starts Gemini Live. Based on a demo Google ran for press, Gemini Live does seem like it could be a competent guide for navigating games. It was able to offer strategies for how to best start a game of The Battle of Polytopia and told game-specific jokes that were only funny in how awkward they were. Since Gemini can accept screen sharing as an input, it was also able to offer its guidance without a lot of context from the Google project manager running the demo. Referring to in-game items as "this" or "that" was enough to get Gemini to understand. Gemini in Sidekick won't really replace a detailed game guide written by a human, but for a quick answer it's easier than Googling. It's also similar in many ways to Microsoft's Gaming Copilot, which also places a live AI in games with you. For now, Google is taking a restrained approach to rolling out Play Games Sidekick and its AI features. You don't have to interact with the overlay at all if you don't want to (you can even dismiss it to the notification shade) and Gemini-powered features will only be available "in select games over the coming months." That includes games from "hero partners EA and NetMarble," according to Google, like "Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes, FC Mobile and Solo Leveling Arise." Beyond the Sidekick, Google views its updates to Google Play Games as a way to unify what's a pretty siloed-off gaming experience on mobile. Each game has its own profile, achievements and in-game stats, and few of them connect to each other. In an attempt to fix that, Google is introducing a "platform-level gaming profile" that tracks stats and achievements across Android and PC, and even supports AI-generated profile pictures. Like other gaming platforms, you can follow your friends and see what games they're enjoying. Google will also host forums for games available in the Play Store where you can ask questions about a game and get answers from other players. All of these tweaks come with major caveats in that they require players to use them and developers to enable them, but they do suggest Google is trying to take games seriously after bungling more ambitious projects like Stadia. And not just on Android: As part of this rollout, the PC version of Google Play Games is coming out of beta, putting the company in even more direct competition with the Steams of the world.

Play Games Sidekick is Gemini Live for Android games

Google is bringing Gemini Live to Android gaming with Play Games Sidekick. Billed as a coach, it's meant to be a "helpful in-game overlay available while playing games downloaded from Play." In supported games, you'll see a new handle that can be dragged to either side of the screen or dismissed (and accessed from notifications). This overlays a panel, which supports both landscape and portrait orientation, with a link to your profile and Play Points. Next is a grid to take a screenshot, screen recording, stream to YouTube, and enable Do Not Disturb. Then there's a prominent "Start Gemini Live" button that launches the assistant and starts sharing your screen. Inline controls let you mute the microphone and end. You can ask anything about the game, with Gemini fully aware of the context. The idea is to get help without having to leave the game to do a web search for walkthroughs or other tutorials. You get "in-game guidance with verbal tips, tricks, and support." The context was perfect when Google demoed Sidekick with "The Battle of Polytopia" for us. Google Play worked with the Google DeepMind team, with the latter first demoing AI agents for games last December. Gemini "can reason about the game based solely on the action on the screen." Meanwhile, "Game Tips" in Sidekick is powered by AI and "based on your gameplay." There are also carousels for Achievements (which you can browse), Streaks, Quests, Coupons (Play Points), Play Credit (which is redeemable inline), and Boosts. Google will start letting users try Play Games Sidekick with Gemini Live in "select games over the coming months." Google is starting a new "Level Up" program for game developers where they get various benefits by supporting the latest platform features. Sidekick is one of those capabilities with a July 2026 deadline for support. (Another example is adding cloud save and seamless restore by November of 2026.)

If you suck at mobile games, Gemini AI will guide you like a live coach

Hey Gemini, how do I get out of this pickle without taking a single hit? I've lost count of the occasions where I had to pause a game, open a browser tab, and look at tutorial videos to get past a difficult stage. And it seems there are many others, like me, dealing with the same conundrum. Soon, Google's Gemini AI will offer real-time guidance to lend a helping hand mid-way through games. What's the big upgrade? Google is adding a new feature called Sidekick that is essentially a gaming-friendly version of Gemini. When you launch a game, the AI will also jump into action. And as you make progress, you can ask it about winning strategies, how to get out of a tricky situation, and more such real-time advice. "Sidekick uses Gemini Live's screen sharing capabilities to understand your game context and deliver AI-powered, in-game guidance with verbal tips, tricks and support during gameplay," says Google. Recommended Videos The overarching idea is to provide all the help in real-time and save users the hassle of watching walkthroughs and juggling between apps. Sidekick will be rolling out to users in the coming months for a select few games. More changes for Google Play In addition to playtime assistance using Gemini, Google is also launching an in-game overlay called Play Games Sidekick. Accessible by swiping inward from the right edge, it offers quick access to the AI coach as well as game-related alerts. Google is also updating the platform-level gamer profile that makes it easier for players to keep an eye on their stats, monitor all the achievements across different games, and create new avatars in a jiffy using AI. The gaming ecosystem is getting a new Play Games Leagues system, where you can challenge others and win Google Play points. The first edition of Google Play League will be all about Subway Surfers and you can join it between October 10 and 23.