Google messages now requires Google Play store?

Skyway

Just updated Google messages and now it won't open and keeps crashing. A glance over the logs shows Google play store is required but missing.
Its been nice run.

Switzerland

Skyway Assume the same course of action for any of Google's services. Don't become overly reliant on a company that has shown they will do whatever they please in the name of data and money.

iudnu

And now requires you associate an account with it if you have a Google account active on your phone. I bit the bullet and started using Google Messages recently for RCS support and if I stay logged in in the Play store, I am not able to proceed past the account selection popup and use the app.

I wish there was a good RCS compatible option that allowed me to pass on using Google's...