How to publish a game on Google Play

Publishing a game on Google Play follows the same path as any app, with a few questions that matter more for games: who the game is for, what age rating it gets, and whether it shows ads. This page covers those parts; the general steps are in our main Google Play guide.

Updated 2026-11-09

Content rating

Play Console asks a rating questionnaire about violence, scary content, language, gambling-like features and whether players can talk to each other. Answer it truthfully for what the game really has. A quiz or puzzle with no chat and no violence usually gets a rating suitable for all ages. If the answers don't match the game, Google can remove it later.

Target audience and children

You choose the age groups the game is meant for. If those include children, Google's Families policy applies: stricter rules on ads, on the data the game collects, on content and on links out of the game. A memory game for 5-year-olds is clearly for children; a GK quiz for class 10 may be too, so think about who really plays it.

Simple games that keep scores on the phone and collect no personal data are the easiest to fit these rules. A shared leaderboard with sign-in collects names or emails, which you must declare. Read Google's current Families policy before you choose a child age group; it changes from time to time.

Ads, data safety and privacy

Ads declaration: say whether the game shows ads. An AppCub game has no ads unless you added them, so the usual answer is No
Data safety: list what the game collects. Scores kept only on the phone are not collected; sign-in and a shared leaderboard on your Supabase database are
Privacy policy: Google asks for a link even for small games. It should say plainly what the game stores and where
No real-money gambling or money games: India's Online Gaming Act, 2025 bans online money games, and AppCub doesn't build them

Store listing and closed test tips

Screenshots from real play: the start screen, a question or board in the middle of a game, and the result screen
A short description that says what the player does, such as 'Guess the Hindi word in 6 tries'
For the closed test, invite people who will really play: students, family, friends. 12 testers must stay opted in for 14 days
Fix what testers report and upload a new version during the test, so the game Google reviews is the one testers liked

Help with the steps

AppCub's team can do the Google Play steps for a fixed quote, in your own developer account. See /play-launch/ for details. Google decides whether and when the game goes live.

Questions

Is publishing a game on Google Play different from publishing an app?

The steps are the same. Games get more attention on content rating, target age, ads and data safety, especially if children may play.

What does it cost to publish a game?

US$25 once to Google for the developer account, and a paid AppCub plan for the Play Store bundle. The closed test and Google's review cost nothing extra.

Do I need 12 testers for my game?

Yes, if your developer account is a new personal one: 12 testers in a closed test for 14 days before you can apply for production.

My game is for kids. What changes?

Choosing a child age group brings Google's Families policy: stricter rules on ads, data and content. Keep the game simple, collect no personal data and read the current policy before you submit.

Can I publish a quiz with cash prizes?

No. Online money games are banned in India under the Online Gaming Act, 2025, and AppCub doesn't build them. A quiz with points and badges is fine.

Can AppCub's team publish the game for me?

Yes, for a fixed quote, in your own Google Play developer account. See /play-launch/.

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