Samsung’s Gear VR headset was designed to provide just that, amping up players’ immersion and making gaming more engaging. Available in the Oculus Store, the games and app below demonstrate Gear VR’s ability to bring the gaming experience to a whole new level.

Minecraft: Gear VR Edition

Minecraft: Gear VR Edition optimizes the global gaming phenomenon for Gear VR, allowing players to embark on the game’s fun solo adventures while fully immersed in its sprawling and inventive pixelated worlds.

Players navigate the blocky landscapes in first- or third-person perspective using their Xbox controller and Gear VR. The headset’s wide view not only makes building a personal kingdom more engaging, but also fosters the sensation that one is physically standing within their virtual domain, making it easier for players to explore new terrains and the limits of their imagination.

Herobound Gladiators

Herobound Gladiators is an online multiplayer RPG optimized for the Gear VR in which teams of players progress through challenging arenas battling hordes of ghouls and goblins.

Conquering waves of enemies and seizing victory requires optimizing a character’s arsenal of weapons and abilities and carefully coordinating attacks with teammates. Together with the Xbox controller, the Gear VR makes navigating each battle more fun and engaging, providing a 160-degree, strategic view that allows players to comfortably scan the battlefield and plot their course to victory.

SLIVER.tv

SLIVER.tv is an eSports app that allows professional gaming fans to be immersed in their favorite games even when they’re not playing themselves. With SLIVER.tv, users can enjoy a 360-degree VR gaming experience while watching eSports’ greatest champions do what they do best, through highlight videos and coverage of tournaments pitting the world’s best gamers against one another.

Gear VR’s immersive perspective provides SLIVER.tv users the best possible viewing experience, allowing them to take in the action from new angles, and making it easier to analyze their favorite champions’ in-game strategies.

Following record pre-orders in Europe for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, Samsung Electronics Europe today announced an exclusive Gear VR content package for new Galaxy S7 customers.

For a limited period only*, new Galaxy S7 and S7 edge customers in Europe will be able to purchase the Samsung Gear VR, powered by Oculus, at a special price and get free access to exclusive premium games and experiences, available from the Oculus Store. The bundle includes some of the Oculus Store’s most popular paid-for content, such as Anshar Wars 2, Darknet, Drift, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, Ocean Rift and Starchart.

This new reward, in partnership with Oculus, the pioneering virtual reality firm that helps to power the Gear VR, comes as the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge continue to perform strongly across Europe. This strong Galaxy S7 performance has also driven an upsurge of adoption in the mobile VR market in Europe. According to CCS Insight**, the Western European VR market is expected to grow 168% year-on-year in 2016. Samsung has already sold over 300,000 Gear VR headsets in Europe this year, a significant figure given that CCS Insight** estimates that the total number of VR devices sold in Europe last year was 1.8mn.

David Lowes, Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Electronics Europe, commented: “Our Galaxy S7 and S7 edge are performing extremely well, demonstrating continued strong demand for our premium flagship devices. The smartphone is already so fundamental to our lives but connecting it with a product like the Gear VR opens up incredible new experiences that are often as emotional as they are immersive. With this new incentive, we’re encouraging broader VR adoption so that more people can experience this amazing new technology for themselves.”

“At Oculus, we want people to experience anything, anywhere through the power of virtual reality and we’re starting to see that happen with Gear VR,” said Max Cohen, Head of Mobile at Oculus. “We recently announced that one million people used Gear VR in April – this is an important milestone, which speaks to the great experience that Samsung and Oculus can deliver. Together, the hardware and software provides the absolute best VR experience on mobile available today and we’re looking forward to continuing to excite and engage European consumers.”

2016: Analysts Predict a Year of VR Growth  

Industry analyst house CCS Insight forecasts that revenues for VR headsets globally will reach $10bn by 2020, with Western Europe accounting for $3bn. 4.7mn headsets are expected to be shipped in Western Europe in 2016, with value-priced smartphone VR headsets such as the Gear VR expected to account for 90% of the volume.

Ben Wood, Chief of Research at CCS Insight, noted: “We are at the beginning of an exciting journey with VR. We believe consumers will be keen to experience the wealth of professionally curated 360-degree content that will emerge in 2016. Furthermore, the growth in self-created content generated by the growing number of 360-degree cameras and shared via Facebook and YouTube will only serve to take awareness levels to new heights as the year progresses.”

* The Galaxy S7/ Gear VR content reward is available via Samsung’s online store and selected carrier and retail partners. The time period of the reward may vary according to local market and/ or carrier and retail partner.

** CCS Insight, Market Forecast, Augmented and Virtual Reality Worldwide, 2016-2020, February 2016).

In an Olympic first, Samsung Electronics is supporting the International Olympic Committee to bring the Games to life through virtual reality coverage so that just about any Galaxy smartphone and Gear VR user can experience the excitement of the event, no matter where they are in the world.

The experience begins at 19:00PM CET February 12 with the Opening Ceremony—the first ever streamed live in virtual reality. Also, throughout the duration of the Games, daily VR sports highlights will provide a Winter YOG experience unlike any before.

To enjoy immersive views of the Olympic torch lighting and the Parade of Nations, among other event highlights, one needs a Samsung mobile phone (Galaxy S6 and later) and compatible Gear VR headset. From the smartphone, viewers can visit olympic.org to access a direct link to the Youth Olympic Games VR experience. Samsung mobile users will also be able to access all the Lillehammer 2016 content by downloading the NextVR app from the Oculus store.

Installation Instructions

1. Make sure you have a Samsung Galaxy smartphone and compatible Samsung Gear VR headset.

2. On your Galaxy phone, open the Oculus Gear VR app and search for “Next VR”.

3. When you’ve found the NextVR app, click “Install”. When it’s finished installing, click “Start”.

Samsung Electronics America, official mobile sponsor of the Sundance Film Festival, is sparking VR storytelling at the Samsung Studio, the go-to venue for filmmakers, content developers, industry influencers and more to connect, learn and share experiences, all through the lens of the latest Samsung products and services, including the new Samsung Gear VR, powered by Oculus.

“One of the biggest trends and themes for 2016 is virtual reality. At Samsung, we are making VR more accessible by partnering with the best in the industry to deliver a growing library of engaging, rich content for our Gear VR which is all made possible by our latest Galaxy devices,” said Marc Mathieu, chief marketing officer at Samsung Electronics America. “We are excited to engage with the creative community at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival to collaborate and amplify viewpoints, content and new technological advancements as we continue to cultivate development in the VR community.”

There are many opportunities for Festivalgoers to meet and interact at the Samsung Studio. Here is a sampling of what’s in store.

Unique programming at Samsung Studio

The team from Funny Or Die joins Samsung to debut the world premiere of the first-ever virtual reality comedy short, “Interrogation” featuring comedians Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel. Discussions will highlight how Gear VR is empowering comedic storytelling in new, immersive ways.

Samsung Studio will also treat Festivalgoers to interactive filmmaker panels with Deadline, BMI, Broadcast Music, Inc. and Funny Or Die, among other programming to be announced.

GONE Returns from Holiday Hiatus

At the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, Samsung, in collaboration with Skybound Entertainment and Wevr, will unveil the latest cluster of episodes from Samsung’s original thriller “GONE.” During December 2015, “GONE Episode #1: Pilgrim” quickly rose to be the number one most viewed piece of content on the service, with viewers quickly gravitating towards the “exploratory video” technology unique to the series.

Gear Indie Challenge Results

In an effort to nurture emerging and independent VR filmmakers, Samsung recently conducted the Gear Indie “There in 60 Seconds” contest, challenging filmmakers to transport viewers to a place that is special and unique in 60 seconds or less. At the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, details on the winning entries will be unveiled, with the winning content available to enjoy on Samsung Gear VR.

New Frontier Mobile VR Content Coming to Samsung Gear VR

Gear VR will be the way to watch the New Frontier Program’s Mobile VR content stemming from the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. Attendees will be able to experience the innovative works of ground-breaking artists who work in new media technology and get a glimpse of how the VR medium is used to immerse the viewer and take storytelling to a new dimension.

Living the Galaxy Life to the Fullest at Samsung Studio

At the Samsung Studio, Galaxy owners can enjoy premium services with the Gear S2 Concierge, offering priority restaurant reservations and complimentary Uber rides – all ordered from Samsung’s newest smartwatch, the Gear S2. Festivalgoers will also be able to use Samsung Pay – the official mobile payment of the 2016 Sundance Film Festival – at the Studio’s café, which will feature menu items from Salt Lake City’s own, “The Rose Establishment.”

More Information about Samsung at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival

Visitors to the Samsung Studio will have access to the Sundance Film Festival Selfie, and will experience the brand’s full range of product innovations including the Gear VR, Galaxy View, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy Tab S2, Gear S2, SUHD TVs and home appliances. The Samsung Studio will be located at 638 Park Avenue and will be open from January 22 – January 26, 2016.

For additional information and the full list of panel details, please visit the 2016 Sundance Film Festival schedule at sundance.org/festival.

Samsung Electronics announced that the new Samsung Gear VR powered by Oculus is available for pre-order in the U.S. starting today. The new consumer edition of the Gear VR is compatible with Samsung’s 2015 flagship smartphones, the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge, leveraging each device’s super AMOLED display to provide the color, clarity and performance needed for an amazing virtual reality experience.

“Samsung is leveraging its leadership in mobile, by giving millions of Samsung Galaxy smartphone owners’ access to amazing virtual reality experiences including immersive games, the ability to explore beautiful photographs and exciting videos in 360 degrees, and much more,” said Nick DiCarlo, Vice President, Immersive Products and Virtual Reality at Samsung Electronics America. “The quality of the VR experience provided by Galaxy smartphones and Oculus software is unparalleled, taking virtual reality out of the early adopter space and into the mainstream with this revolutionary product.”

“This is an incredible moment for virtual reality as we introduce the absolute best VR experience on mobile today,” said Max Cohen, Head of Mobile, Oculus. “People all over the world can now turn their mobile phone into an immersive VR experience with made-for-VR games and thousands of amazing 2D, 3D and 360 degree videos and films.”

The Gear VR is now available for pre-order on Samsung.com, Amazon.com and BestBuy.com, and will begin shipping as early as November 20. Gear VR will retail for $99.99 MSRP. It will be available online at Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, Samsung.com and at retail at BestBuy, as early as November 20. T-Mobile will offer the Gear VR beginning November 27 in stores and online at T-Mobile.com. AT&T will offer the Gear VR and will confirm specific availability.

The Samsung Gear VR is 19 percent lighter than the previous Gear VR Innovator Edition, and includes new foam cushioning to make the device more comfortable to wear. In addition, the Gear VR’s touchpad has been improved, providing greater control and easier navigation while enjoying the wide range of film, gaming, 360 degree video and experiential content available for Gear VR.

Samsung Gear VR users can play dozens of new made-for-VR games that are coming to the Oculus platform this year, including CCP’s “Gunjack” and Ustwo Games’ “Lands End”. People can also enjoy a wide range of content from Samsung Milk VR, a premium virtual reality content service, watch the entire Netflix** catalog of original series, documentaries and films, and explore Oculus Video, where viewers can watch thousands of videos and films from Lionsgate, 20^th Century Fox, Twitch, and Vimeo.

Working closely with the major wireless providers, an update for the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note 5 will be available in time for the Gear VR launch to make the phones compatible with the new headset.

For more information and media assets on the Gear VR, please visit www.samsung.com/GearVR.

Samsung Gear VR Product Specifications

*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

**Netflix streaming subscription required.

Samsung Electronics announced its first Gear VR device aimed to consumers, extending its leadership in the wearables category. The latest edition of the Gear VR is compatible with even more smartphones, including the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+, S6 and S6 edge, leveraging each device’s super AMOLED display to provide the color, clarity and performance needed for an amazing virtual reality experience.

“Samsung has been at the forefront of delivering mobile experiences and ‘Gear VR Innovator Edition’ launched last year was no exception,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics. “We see virtual reality as the next computing platform, and we are thrilled to partner with Oculus on Gear VR to set the standard for mobile VR and bring this revolutionary product to consumers.”

The Samsung Gear VR is 22 percent lighter than previous Gear VR Innovator Edition, and includes new foam cushioning to make the device more comfortable to wear. In addition, the Gear VR’s touchpad has been improved, providing greater control while enjoying the robust selection of film, gaming, 360 degree video and experiential content available for Gear VR.

“Together with Samsung, we’ve redefined virtual reality and created the best mobile VR experience available today,” said Brendan Iribe, CEO, Oculus. “On Gear VR, people are playing immersive VR games with friends, sharing 360 video experiences, and teleporting around the world with photos and videos – and it’s only the beginning for what’s possible with mobile VR.”

The Samsung Gear VR will be available in Frost White for USD 99 starting this fall.

For full details of product information and images, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com.

Samsung Gear VR Product Specifications

*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.