Samsung has officially introduced a free mobile gaming platform for Galaxy devices across North America, marking a significant expansion in the mobile gaming space.
The platform, which has been in beta testing since last year, is accessible through Samsung’s Game Launcher app, now rebranded as Samsung Gaming Hub.
At launch, the service will feature 23 games, including popular free-to-play titles like Monopoly Go, Candy Crush Saga, Homescapes, and Honor of Kings.
A Free Gaming Experience
Unlike many other cloud gaming services, Samsung’s platform offers unrestricted access to all available games.
“There is no content gated behind a paywall and no monthly subscriptions for users to access these games via our cloud streaming tech,” said Jong Woo, Samsung’s vice president and head of game services, in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz.
How It Works
Users can access the games through various channels, including links in Galaxy Store listings, the Samsung Gaming Hub, and advertisements.
The Galaxy Store, which is pre-installed on all Samsung phones and tablets, functions as the runtime client for the gaming service.
Promising Engagement Metrics
During the beta phase, Samsung reported impressive engagement, with 50% of players who clicked on a mobile cloud game ad or listing proceeding to play the linked title.
This strong response underscores the potential of the platform to drive player activity through seamless accessibility.
Woo emphasized the advantages of cloud gaming’s frictionless experience, highlighting its ability to eliminate the need for downloads.
He added, “This will help Samsung significantly disrupt how game publishers scale their mobile games.”
Expanding in Cloud Gaming
This mobile platform builds on Samsung’s growing investments in cloud gaming. The company has already made significant strides with its Smart TVs, leveraging partnerships with major players like Xbox and other services, such as Boosteroid.
Lessons from Past Experiments
Samsung has previously ventured into the cloud gaming arena with its PlayGalaxy Link service, designed for PC and select Galaxy devices.
However, this project was discontinued before it officially launched, providing valuable insights for the current initiative.
With the launch of Samsung Gaming Hub, the company is poised to redefine mobile cloud gaming by offering a free and seamless experience to Galaxy users, further solidifying its foothold in the evolving gaming industry.
