Playing PC games on an Android device: Fallout 4 runs smoothly, hinting at an exciting future

An engineer has achieved a major breakthrough in the world of mobile gaming by successfully running Fallout 4 on Android devices at 30 fps through the Winlator emulator. This open-source APK for Android allows users to emulate PC games and apps on high-end Android phones and tablets.

The engineer, known as ETA PRIME, managed to get the popular action RPG running on various devices with playable frame rates. The copy of Fallout 4 used in this experiment is the DRM-free GOG version, which means it can be launched without an internet connection or account tie-ins.

While the setup process is complex and not for the faint-hearted, the results are impressive. The game runs smoothly above the 30 fps mark on a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 at 720p resolution with high settings. This achievement showcases the potential for full-fat Windows gaming on Android devices.

With the upcoming release of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite ARM-based processor, the future of mobile gaming looks promising. The increasing power of mobile hardware, coupled with advancements in emulation technology, could lead to more sophisticated Windows gaming experiences on smartphones.

While the process of loading Windows games onto Android devices is currently cumbersome and limited to DRM-free content, developments like this one hint at a future where gaming on smartphones becomes more seamless. This progress mirrors Apple’s efforts to bring PC games to the iPhone and iPad, blurring the lines between traditional gaming platforms. Overall, this achievement marks a significant step towards a more versatile and immersive gaming experience on mobile devices.