Publishing an Android App with Leaderboards
Overview
This article outlines the process of publishing an Android app with leaderboards using Google Play Games Services, without implementing achievements.
Prerequisites
* An Android development environment setup.
* A Google Play Developer Console account.
* Basic understanding of Android development and Google Play Services.
Setting up Google Play Games Services
1. **Enable Google Play Games Services in your project:**
* Open your project’s `build.gradle` (Module: app) file.
* Add the following dependency in the `dependencies` section:
“`gradle
implementation ‘com.google.android.gms:play-services-games:23.0.0’ // Or the latest version
“`
* Sync your project with Gradle files.
2. **Configure your game in the Google Play Console:**
* Create a new game or select an existing one in your Developer Console.
* Under “Game Services,” enable “Leaderboards.”
* Define the leaderboard settings (name, description, sorting, display, etc.).
3. **Initialize Google Play Games Services in your app:**
* In your `MainActivity` or any relevant activity:
“`java
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
private GamesClient gamesClient;
@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
gamesClient = Games.getGamesClient(this, new GamesClient.GamesClientInitializationListener() {
@Override
public void onGamesClientInitializationSuccess(GamesClient gamesClient) {
// Success!
// Connect to the game services:
gamesClient.connect();
}
@Override
public void onGamesClientInitializationFailure(GamesClientInitializationException e) {
// Handle the failure
}
});
}
}
“`
Submitting Scores to Leaderboards
1. **Retrieve the leaderboard ID:**
* Copy the leaderboard ID from the Google Play Console.
* Store it in your app as a constant:
“`java
private static final String LEADERBOARD_ID = “YOUR_LEADERBOARD_ID”;
“`
2. **Submit a score:**
* Use the `GamesClient` to submit a score to the leaderboard:
“`java
gamesClient.submitScore(LEADERBOARD_ID, score);
“`
3. **Handle the result:**
* Implement a `GamesClient.OnGamesClientListener` to receive callbacks for the score submission result:
“`java
gamesClient.registerGamesClientListener(new GamesClient.OnGamesClientListener() {
@Override
public void onGamesClientConnectionEstablished(GamesClient gamesClient) {
// Connected to the game services.
}
@Override
public void onGamesClientConnectionSuspended(GamesClient gamesClient) {
// Connection suspended.
}
@Override
public void onGamesClientError(GamesClient gamesClient, int errorCode) {
// Error occurred. Handle the error.
}
});
“`
Displaying Leaderboards
1. **Create a leaderboard UI:**
* Use a `RecyclerView` or other suitable UI element to display the leaderboard data.
2. **Fetch leaderboard data:**
* Use the `GamesClient` to fetch leaderboard entries:
“`java
gamesClient.loadLeaderboards(LEADERBOARD_ID, LeaderboardVariant.TIME_SPAN_ALL_TIME, LeaderboardCollection.PUBLIC, LeaderboardSort.ASCENDING);
“`
3. **Populate the UI:**
* Iterate through the leaderboard entries and populate your UI elements with the data.
Publishing Your App
1. **Create a release build:**
* Build your app in release mode.
2. **Create a release in the Google Play Console:**
* Go to the “Release” section in your Developer Console.
* Create a new release and upload your APK or app bundle.
3. **Test and publish your app:**
* Test your app thoroughly.
* Publish your app to Google Play.
Summary
By following these steps, you can successfully publish an Android app with leaderboards and no achievements. Google Play Games Services simplifies the integration of social and competitive features into your game, enhancing user engagement and replayability.