With its 2022 TVs, Samsung is giving viewers a way to play the latest and greatest games without a traditional console. An upcoming update to the Tizen home screen will allow Samsung TV owners to access game streaming services like GeForce Now and Google Stadia. These services from Nvidia and Google let you stream must-have games via the cloud, including triple-A titles that typically require a powerful PC or console, such as Cyberpunk 2077, Watch Dogs Legion, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla available to play on the net.
Samsung previously announced that its new Gaming Hub would come to select 2022 models starting in the summer. However, as reported by FlatpanelsHD TV BlogSamsung is now looking to target a “later this year” release date.
Besides Nvidia GeForce Now and Google Stadia, the Gaming Hub will also offer access to Utomk – another popular game streaming service.
Speaking about the upcoming update, Samsung said, “Gaming Hub is a new streaming game discovery platform that connects hardware and software to deliver a seamless gaming experience.
“No downloads required, no storage required. Samsung also announced partnerships with leading game streaming services – NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Stadia, and Utomik, and more to come – to bring their game libraries to the Gaming Hub. new platform will be available later this year on select 2022 Samsung Smart TV models.”
The new Tizen interface and Gaming Hub will not be available on Samsung smart TVs released in 2021 or earlier.
One interesting thing about Samsung’s statement is that it says “more” game streaming services will be available on its TVs, and one of the obvious contenders will surely be Xbox Game Pass.
While Sony recently unveiled its revamped PS Plus that will offer cloud streaming on its most expensive membership tier, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has long offered cloud streaming on non-Xbox devices.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (which costs £10.99 per month) offers a streaming library that can be played on Android and iOS smartphones as well as Windows and macOS machines.
And Microsoft previously revealed it was working with TV makers to bring cloud game streaming to TVs as well.
Speaking at E3 last year, Xbox Head of Experiences and Platforms Liz Hamren said: “The cloud is key to our hardware and Game Pass roadmaps, but no one should think that we’re slowing down on our core console engineering. In fact, we’re speeding up. We’re already hard at work on new hardware and platforms, some of which won’t be revealed for years.
“But even though we’re building for the future, we’re focused on extending the Xbox experience to more devices today so we can reach more people. And many of those devices won’t be built For example, we’re working with global TV makers to bring the Game Pass experience directly into internet-connected TVs, so all you’ll need to play is a controller.
“Beyond that, we’re also developing standalone streaming devices that you can plug into a TV or monitor, so if you have a strong internet connection, you can stream your Xbox experience.”
We’ll have to wait and see if it launches on TVs from manufacturers like Samsung and others this year, or if Xbox Game Pass streaming could come to TVs at a later date.
