Google launches Gemini AI gaming assistant with real-time overlay

Google is rolling out a new Gemini AI integration that will help users with mobile gaming by providing real-time assistance through an overlay on Google Play Store games. The feature mirrors Microsoft’s Gaming Copilot and represents Google’s push to make AI assistance more contextually aware and accessible during gameplay.

How it works: The Gemini Live integration appears as a sidebar overlay that can “see” what’s happening on your screen while you play.

• Players can ask questions aloud during gameplay and receive audible responses from Gemini AI.
• The AI assistant tailors its suggestions based on what’s currently displayed in your game.
• The overlay also includes details about rewards, offers, and achievements.

Rollout timeline: Google plans to introduce this feature gradually across select games over the coming months, though the company hasn’t specified which titles will receive the integration first.

Additional Google Play updates: The gaming assistant is part of a broader set of enhancements coming to Google’s gaming ecosystem.

• Google Play Games for PC is officially launching after three years in beta, with more than 200,000 games now playable across mobile and PC platforms.
• Enhanced game pages will provide overviews of progress, achievements, and developer updates.
• A new Q&A feature allows players to ask and answer questions directly on Google Play Store game pages in select markets.

Competitive context: This move directly competes with Microsoft’s Gaming Copilot, which launched earlier this year for Xbox mobile app and Windows 11 PCs, showing how major tech companies are racing to integrate AI assistance into gaming experiences.