Samsung "6.1 Billion USD Market in 3 Years... Launching 'Gaming Hub' in 9 Countries Including the US" (Comprehensive)

Samsung Smart TV·Monitor
Game Platform Integration Service

QLED Picture Quality with Moving Sound

Supports Xbox, GeForce Now, etc. Without Separate Device Connection or Download

Ahn Hee-young, a professional from Samsung Electronics' Visual Display Business Division, is introducing the 'Gaming Hub.' (Photo by Samsung Electronics)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok]

"The TV cloud gaming market is expected to grow to $6.1 billion (approximately 7.8885 trillion KRW) by 2025. It is currently in the early stages. As of the 30th of last month, we launched the 'Samsung Gaming Hub' in nine countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France."

Samsung Electronics, a leader in smart TVs, is officially entering the cloud gaming service market. On the 1st, An Heeyoung, Head of the Service PM Group at the Visual Display Business Division, said this at the 'Samsung Electronics Gaming Hub Media Briefing' held at Taepyeong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul.

Starting yesterday, Samsung Electronics began offering the Samsung Gaming Hub service on smart TVs and smart monitors released this year, such as the Neo QLED 8K, allowing users to play games without a console. The Gaming Hub is a streaming game platform integration service. It provides information such as game apps, recently played games, recommended games, game videos, and new trailers all on one screen.

Users can enjoy games on the TV and smart monitor Gaming Hub through the service. A key feature is that no additional device connection, downloads, or storage space is required. It means users can play games just like using smartphone video streaming apps such as YouTube.

Console gamers can also launch games more conveniently by entering the Gaming Hub game titles. Users without a console can enjoy streaming games through partnerships Samsung Electronics has established. Since only a game-specific tab is added to the existing 'Smart Hub' screen, anyone can easily access it.

Major game streaming services are also provided. Representative examples include Microsoft Xbox Game Pass, NVIDIA GeForce Now, Google Stadia, and Utomik. Amazon Luna will also be supported within this year. YouTube, Twitch, and Spotify can be connected to the Gaming Hub, allowing users to enjoy various music and content while gaming.

The monitor quality is also high. In particular, the Gaming Hub service can be enjoyed with image quality comparable to the 2022 Neo QLED level. The maximum resolution is 4K, with a high refresh rate of 144Hz and fast response times. The black areas of the screen are enhanced in detail. The 'Moving Sound' feature, which implements three-dimensional sound according to object movement within the video, is also included. Samsung received the world's first TV certification for 'FreeSync Premium Pro,' which minimizes screen tearing during gameplay. The user experience (UX) features have been enhanced so that when a game console is connected, it automatically enters game mode and allows users to check and adjust game settings.

Lee Wonjin, President of Samsung Electronics' Visual Display Business Division, said, "Samsung Gaming Hub was created by combining Samsung Electronics' unparalleled TV technology with game content from global partners," adding, "We will expand partnerships with major game service providers and develop user-customized functions and services to make various games easily accessible."

Samsung Electronics stated that this service was created targeting the existing console gaming audience. For customers who have not yet purchased the 2022 Samsung smart TV models, the service will be installed on 2021 models starting in the second half of this year, and then sequentially on earlier models in reverse order of release. As a world-class game monitor manufacturer, gaming-related smart screen monitors will also be introduced sequentially according to the lineup.

Samsung Electronics explained that it plans to accelerate partner acquisition to expand the domestic TV cloud gaming ecosystem. As of the 30th of last month, the Gaming Hub service has been launched in nine countries across North America, including the United States and Canada, and Europe, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The cloud gaming market is expected to grow to $6.1 billion by 2025.

An said, "Since the cloud gaming market is still in the early stages, the overall market ecosystem needs to be established, and it takes some time to secure partners," adding, "As it is a field with high potential expected to grow to $6.1 billion by 2025, it is necessary to increase marketability with partners."