– Bill Mandel, VP, Samsung Research America

HDR (high dynamic range) technology has been revolutionising visual quality in movies and TV shows for several years. Now, with Samsung championing HDR10+ GAMING, the same visual transformation is making its way to the video game industry. It’s beneficial for game makers and players alike, and truly makes it possible to get the most visual impact out of gaming’s modern graphics and realism.

Samsung Newsroom sat down with Bill Mandel, Vice President, and Steve Larson, Senior Manager at Digital Media Solutions, Samsung Research America, to discuss HDR10+ GAMING and how the technology is changing the gaming industry.

▲ Steve Larson (left), Senior Manager and Bill Mandel, VP, Digital Media Solutions, Samsung Research America

Gamers and Game Creators Deserve HDR, Too

While HDR dramatically heightened the visual experience for television and film, its application in video games has been limited. Game engines have built-in colour management systems that help the connected TV or monitor know what colours to show. However, a lack of communication between screens and game engines may require users to manually calibrate their displays.

“HDR10+ GAMING establishes a direct line of communication between the screen and the game engine”

– Steve Larson, Samsung Research America (SRA)

In search of a solution, SRA started to develop HDR10+ GAMING. By automatically adjusting HDR settings based on the screen’s capabilities, HDR10+ GAMING[1] can unlock a premium visual experience through accurate colour, contrast and brightness.

“HDR10+ GAMING establishes a direct line of communication between the screen and the game engine,” said Larson. “The screen can now understand what the game engine is doing, and the game engine knows what the screen can display. That produces a much better visual output.”

“It’s all about making colours truer to the vision of video game creators,” said Mandel.

Engineering a Simple Solution for the Artists

Game developers were the first to call for new technology that addressed the limitations of HDR.

“The initial need came from game developers themselves who want the games they build to look the best they possibly can,” said Mandel. “They were struggling to get colours to look the way they hoped across monitors.”

▲ Bill Mandel, VP, Digital Media Solutions, Samsung Research America, explains how HDR10+ GAMING was introduced to bring better visual experience to all gamers

“We wanted the specs we published to be simple for game developers to use, without a heavy burden,” said Larson. “Once they integrate our specs into their game engine, they can use it across any game built in that engine. This significantly simplifies adoption across the industry because it doesn’t rely on certain configurations or devices. It’s easy.”

Making It Simple for the Players

With HDR10+ GAMING, gamers no longer need to deal with dials and test patterns to calibrate their monitors.

“HDR10+ GAMING simplifies the process by automatically adjusting settings for games, just like it does for movies,” said Mandel. “This ensures gamers get optimal picture quality without any hassle — just turn on the game and go.”

▲ Bill Mandel (top), VP, and Steve Larson, Senior Manager, Digital Media Solutions, Samsung Research America demonstrate how HDR10+ GAMING automatically elevates the gaming experience

Because HDR10+ GAMING works both on TVs and gaming monitors, gamers can now enjoy a consistent visual experience with immersive graphics across platforms without setting anything up. This standard is especially important as today’s gamers expect photorealistic graphics in gaming today.

“When activated, your device automatically identifies that HDR10+ GAMING is an available option in any compatible game and takes advantage of it,” said Larson. “There’s no need to navigate a hidden menu or adjust settings.”

Lowering the Threshold for the Gaming Industry

For game developers, one major advantage of HDR10+ GAMING is that it is free to implement. With the right application programming interface (APIs), they can integrate HDR10+ GAMING into their existing game engines without any specialised training.

“It’s simple. Once developers integrate our specs into their game engine, they can use it across any game built in that engine”

– Steve Larson, Samsung Research America

Putting these standards into action, Samsung partnered with NEXON in September 2023 to launch the world’s first HDR10+ GAMING title, “The First Descendant.”

At Summer Game Fest this past June, the company showcased its latest Odyssey OLED gaming monitors with HDR10+ GAMING capabilities. The combination of HDR10+ GAMING and Samsung’s Odyssey OLED gaming monitors demonstrates how advanced display technology can elevate the gaming experience in video games like “Red Dead Redemption 2.”

Moreover, Samsung has worked with partners such as CD PROJEKT RED on “Cyberpunk 2077” — bringing the game’s fictitious Night City, California, to life like never before. The copy was a great hit, selling over 25,000,000 copies worldwide.

“We designed the system to be incredibly simple to implement,” said Larson. “In fact, CD PROJEKT RED told us that they knew HDR10+ GAMING was something they wanted to use. They were impressed with how fast and easy it was to implement. Their team was actually able to get it up and running in about half a day.”

“This is a free license technology. We’ll see a lot more games and platforms adopting the technology”

– Bill Mandel, VP, Samsung Research America

A Radiant Future Ahead for HDR10+ GAMING

Samsung is looking to expand HDR10+ GAMING to include additional game engines, particularly those that are more niche. The company is already working with major studios and developers to add into their proprietary engines and some of the more widely adopted ones.

“Through collaborations with game companies, we will expand the HDR10+ GAMING ecosystem — ensuring broader adoption and richer gaming experiences,” said Mandel.

This wide network will provide game developers with a versatile and powerful set of tools to create visually stunning games more efficiently.

▲Steve Larson (left), Senior Manager, and Bill Mandel, VP, Digital Media Solutions, Samsung Research America

“As this is a free license technology, we’ll see a lot more games and platforms adopting the technology,” Mandel continued. “For consumers, it means a consistent and immersive gaming experience across a range of devices — with minimal setup and maximum visual impact.”

Mandel and Larson anticipate a notable increase in the number of developers, games and users leveraging HDR10+ GAMING soon.

“Expect big things to come!” said Mandel.

[1] HRD10+GAMING compatible monitors include Odyssey OLED G8 32 inch G80SD Gaming Monitor, 57″ DUHD Odyssey Neo G9 G95NC Gaming Monitor, and 27″ Odyssey OLED G6 G60SD QHD 360Hz Gaming Monitor. To use HDR10+ GAMING, the content must be HDR10+ GAMING compatible, and additional settings may need to be adjusted depending on the content.

– Junhwan Kim, Lead programmer, Engine Program team, Nexon Games

Game development is an art, and like any masterpiece, it requires the right tools. Nexon’s upcoming title, The First Descendant, is set to redefine the looter-shooter genre with its stunning visuals and immersive gameplay. At the heart of this development process is Samsung’s Odyssey OLED G8 — a monitor that not only displays these graphics but can elevate them to a new level of realism.

Join us as we dive into the behind-the-scenes journey with the developers at Nexon Games, who reveal how this cutting-edge display technology has helped bring their ambitious vision to life. From the precision of colour to the speed of response, discover why the Odyssey OLED G8 is more than just a monitor — it’s a game-changer in the industry.

Founded in 1994, Nexon has become a global leader in online gaming. Known for creating popular titles like MapleStory, Dungeon & Fighter and KartRider, Nexon continues to push boundaries in the gaming world. This year, the company introduced The First Descendant, a looter-shooter that attracted 260,000 concurrent players at launch. Nexon is focused on expanding its global reach and adapting to the fast-changing gaming industry. In 2021, Nexon completed the acquisition of Embark Studios AB, a company based in Stockholm, Sweden, developing multiple projects for global release.

▲ (From left) Lead Engine Programmer Junhwan Kim from the Engine Program team and Lead World Concept Artist Sinwook Wi, from the Environmental Concept Design team at Nexon Games, sat down with Samsung to talk about their latest project, The First Descendant and how the Odyssey OLED G8 played a role in its development.

Q. Can you tell us about your role in developing The First Descendant and how you contributed to the game’s creation?

Kim: I’m responsible for the game engine. I develop the software that integrates essential elements like graphics, sound and physics engines, make them work seamlessly together.

Wi: I handle the environmental concept design. My role involves creating the overall concept of the game and designing the backgrounds and characters to fit within that environment.

▲ (From left) Gley, Blair and Enzo, key characters from Nexon’s looter-shooter game ‘The First Descendant’ (Image courtesy of Nexon)

Q. What sets The First Descendant apart? What were some of the key innovations and design choices that defined your approach?

Kim: The First Descendant is a looter shooter that blends third-person shooter (TPS) mechanics with role-playing game (RPG) elements. It features spectacular combat scenes, high-quality graphics and a rich loot system filled with powerful guns and gear. The core of the game lies in its storytelling, character development and the pursuit of the best weapons and equipment.

A major focus for us was bringing the open world of The First Descendant to life through cutting-edge graphics. Using Unreal Engine 5, we leveraged Nanite to achieve highly detailed environments, allowing us to render complex landscapes and objects with incredible precision. This was crucial for creating an immersive open-world experience where players can explore vast and visually stunning environments. Lumen played a significant role as well, enabling real-time lighting that reacts dynamically to the game’s world and characters, further enhancing the realism of the gameplay.

* Open World: A game design element that allows players to freely explore most areas with minimal restrictions.

* Unreal Engine 5: A game engine developed by Epic Games, known for key features like Nanite, which efficiently handles high-capacity graphics, and Lumen, which enhances lighting effects.

▲ Junhwan works on the development of ‘The First Descendant’ using the Odyssey OLED G8. The Odyssey OLED G8 delivers superb graphics with its high resolution and colour accuracy.

Wi: The game is set in an apocalyptic world where factions — each with their own traditions — battle for survival. The story follows humanity’s fight against the Vulgus, invaders who nearly wiped out the human race. Players take on the role of descendants, embarking on a quest to find the Iron Heart, the ultimate weapon to end the war.

On the design front, our goal was to create an apocalyptic world that felt rich and immersive while avoiding the overly dark and futuristic look often seen in similar settings. The environment itself is a key part of the storytelling. So, we integrated colourful, future-oriented designs for city of Albion to balance the grim atmosphere with a sense of hope. This approach doesn’t just end at the visual appeal but also helps the game engage players on an emotional level, too.

▲ Sinwook works on the design for the city of Albion, a key area in ‘The First Descendant,’ using the Odyssey OLED G8. The monitor’s consistent colours and detailed contrast has helped bring out the intricate design elements.

Q. As a game developer, what do you consider the most important factors in creating a visually immersive gaming experience?

Kim: A high-quality display is crucial to accurately present the game’s graphics and visuals. Today’s gaming standards demand seamless gameplay with vibrant graphics, high frame rates, detailed resolutions and minimal input lag. To fully experience these advancements, it’s crucial to use a gaming monitor with high resolution, a wide colour gamut and fast response times.

As part of our collaboration with Samsung, I received the Odyssey OLED G8 during the development of The First Descendant, and what stood out to me was the monitor’s awesome display quality — colour accuracy, expressions and its quick response time. The monitor delivers colours and contrast with a high level of precision, which was crucial for developing the game. The 0.03ms (GTG) response time made a noticeable difference during our demonstrations as well.[1]

“[With the Odyssey OLED G8,] You get two distinct display experiences with a single monitor—16:9 for working and 21:9 for playing”

– Wi Sinwook, Lead World Concept Artist, Environmental Concept Design team, Nexon Games

Wi: As a World Concept Artist, I constantly ask myself, “How can I best convey the immersive universe to players?” I want players to experience every detail of the environments and even the subtle expressions of the characters as they were intended. For that, a display accurately reproduces colours and fine details is crucial. When players can see the subtle nuances in shading and the vibrant colours, it significantly enhances their immersion in the game.

▲ Sinwook builds out the background concept designs for ‘The First Descendant’ using the Odyssey OLED G8.

Q. Other than picture quality, were there any other the Odyssey OLED G8 features that stood out when you were working on and demonstrating the game?

Kim: The First Descendant is a multi-platform game, available on PC (Steam) and consoles. The fact that the Odyssey OLED G8 supports up to three external inputs[2], was especially helpful when we were testing across the different platforms. The sleek, metal design also saved space and complemented the game’s sci-fi aesthetic.

▲ Junhwan demonstrates the console version of ‘The First Descendant’ on the Odyssey OLED G8. The Odyssey OLED G8 offers enhanced convenience with 2 HDMI 2.1 ports, 1 DisplayPort 1.4 and a USB hub.

Wi: Working on the design and demonstrating the game on the Odyssey OLED G8, I found the gameplay smoother and more comfortable compared to my previous monitor. The colours and contrast were balanced and accurate, even on the big screen.

I also really appreciated the ability to switch the screen ratio between 16:9 and 21:9 with just a single setting change. Normally, I avoid wide monitors due to the viewing angle, but the Odyssey OLED G8 made it convenient to switch between ratios for different tasks — 16:9 for working and 21:9 for demonstrating the game. The big advantage is that you get two distinct display experiences with a single monitor.

▲ The Odyssey OLED G8’s Game Bar allows users to switch between 21:9 and 16:9 screen ratios, enabling them to enjoy games in their preferred ratio.

“The fact that the Odyssey OLED G8 supports up to three external inputs, was especially helpful when we were testing across platforms like PCs and different consoles”

– Junhwan Kim, Lead Programmer, Engine Program team, Nexon Games

Q. What features of the Odyssey OLED G8 do you think will elevate the experience for The First Descendant players?

Kim: The First Descendant is the world’s first HDR10+ GAMING title. We collaborated with Samsung to implement this technology in our game, optimising peak brightness of the monitor and supporting standard HDR without the need for manual adjustments[3]. Playing The First Descendant on the Odyssey monitor with HDR10+ GAMING[4] allows you to experience the game’s vivid, high-quality graphics at their best.

* HDR10+ GAMING: A gaming technology that helps enhance image quality by analysing game content to enhance the depth of graphics and supporting features like response time and Auto HDR.

▲ The Odyssey OLED G8 supports HDR10+ GAMING, allowing gamers to enjoy an optimised HDR gaming experience without manual adjustments in supported titles. ‘The First Descendant’ is the first game to feature HDR10+ GAMING technology.

Wi: Unlike my previous monitor, where colours near the edges tended to darken, the Odyssey OLED G8 maintained consistent brightness across the entire screen. The thin frame and bezel also made it easier to focus on the game.

▲ The Odyssey OLED G8’s slim metal design and Core Lighting+ on the back enhance user immersion and create a stylish gaming space.

Kim: I also found the Game Bar feature to be helpful. When the Odyssey OLED G8 is connected to a PC or console, it automatically calls up the Game Bar. Selecting FPS mode in the Game Bar brightens dark areas in the game, giving you an advantage over hidden enemies. Also, the sound becomes rich, further enhancing the immersion.

▲ (Left) Default Game Bar settings without a selected genre, (Right) FPS genre selected in Game Bar.

Q. Any final words for The First Descendant players?

Kim: If you’re a fan of The First Descendant, or any third-person shooter (TPS) game with high-quality graphics, the Odyssey OLED G8 is an excellent choice. It has high refresh rate, wide colour gamut and fast response time, which really enhance the gaming experience.

Wi: I’ve always debated between choosing a monitor with high resolution and refresh rate for gameplay versus one with accurate colours and contrast for development. The Odyssey OLED G8 meets both needs, so I can confidently recommend it to any gamer…or developer!

[1] Based on GtG measured under internal test conditions. Results may vary by content, monitor settings and the performance of the input source.

[2] Supports 2 HDMI 2.1 cables, one Display Port 1.4 and three USB 3.0 ports (1 Up, 2 Down)

[3] To use HDR10+ GAMING, the content must be HDR10+ GAMING compatible, and additional settings may need to be adjusted depending on the content.

[4] HRD10+GAMING compatible monitors include Odyssey OLED G8 32 inch G80SD Gaming Monitor, 57″ DUHD Odyssey Neo G9 G95NC Gaming Monitor, and 27″ Odyssey OLED G6 G60SD QHD 360Hz Gaming Monitor.