Already a staunch Android supporter, Chinese outfit PapayaMobile has unveiled a new game engine for Google's OS that will enable developers to target its 4 million strong userbase.

The free-to-use engine offers a OpenGL runtime script that, in Papaya's view, allows studios to pitch their wares at consumers whilst simultaneously avoiding the Android API and any fragmentation issues associated with Android Market.

"The Papaya Game Engine is intended to help developers gain maximum return on investment for their game titles," said co-founder and CEO Si Shen.

"Our game engine significantly reduces the time and resource investment to do this while also exposing a developer's game to the most diverse monetisation channels possible."

One for all

Papaya's engine is the first runtime script on Android written in C, with performance the company claims is significantly faster than Java-based alternatives.

It also comes with options to allow studios to employ in-app purchases and virtual currencies, as well as adverts, social and location  and billing features through Papaya's overall Android platform. 

"We spent many years developing this technology and the amount of wasted time we can cut out for game developers makes this launch extremely gratifying," added co-founder and CTO Wenjie Qian.

"It used to take months for developers to make social games on Android.

"The Papaya Game Engine will change the way developers make games and mean at least 50 percent less time spent on backend repetitive tasks so developers can focus on creation and iteration."

All aboard Android

Papaya's game engine is just the latest in a long line of Android based initiatives.

Back in August, the company unveiled discovery site AndroidAppoftheDay aimed at separating the wheat from the chaff.

This was followed by a deal with InMobi a month later that saw the two parties launch a joint SDK designed to make advertising on Android easier.