LONDON, UK – 19^th April 2023 – Samsung Electronics UK Ltd. has today unveiled a new free-to-play ‘Gaming Zone’ in collaboration with Xbox at the Microsoft Experience Centre in London. The three dedicated gaming areas across the Microsoft Experience Centre on Regent Street, include a whopping 21 Samsung gaming screens for everyone to enjoy – either as a seasoned gamer or those new to cloud gaming.

The Gaming Zone, with Samsung screens, which launches on the same day as Minecraft Legends – features three key areas:

1. Cloud Gaming Zone – featuring 55” Neo QLED Smart TVs for game streaming via the Samsung Gaming Hub^[1]. Samsung Gaming Hub^[2] is the ultimate home for gaming on your Samsung Smart TV. Instantly play the biggest games from Xbox and other top gaming partners with no downloads, storage limits, or console required. Just switch on your TV and play.
2. Living Room Zone – including 98” Neo QLED 4K HDR Smart TVs
3. Tournament Zone – containing 12 x 24” inch Odyssey G3 Gaming Monitors for those feeling competitive to battle it out

In addition to this, those visiting the Microsoft Experience Centre every Saturday between 1-2pm can put their creativity, Minecraft knowledge and skills to the test in a fun Minecraft Build Challenge. Attendees will be given tasks along with instructive guidelines throughout to develop their own creative build in Minecraft including a Super Hero Base, Treehouse, Fairy Tale Castle and the Microsoft Experience Centre itself.

Gus Grimaldi, Head of Product, ESBO Samsung Services Group said: “We are very excited to be opening the Gaming Zone at the Microsoft Experience Centre in the heart of London, offering guests of all ages and abilities the chance to enjoy unlimited free play across Samsung’s latest gaming Smart TVs and monitors. With Samsung Gaming Hub, individuals can enjoy the best of gaming, all in one place and play instantly without a console.

Develop your skills in gaming, play against friends and even enter a tournament to battle against others for the ultimate gaming experience – from racing and sports to fun and strategy such as Minecraft Legends, there’s a game for everyone to enjoy.”

Minecraft Legends is a new action strategy game set in the Minecraft Universe. Players assume the role of a hero, tasked with leading allies in heroic battles to defend the Overworld from the destructive piglins. Minecraft Legends includes online campaign co-op and competitive multiplayer options so players can fight alongside or against their friends.

To register for the Minecraft Build Challenge, please visit: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/store/workshops-training-and-events/detail/minecraft-build-challenge-ages-8-?program=&store=0120&src=results&pos=0

Microsoft Experience Centre – London

253-259 Regent Street

London, England W1B 2ER

Opening hours:

Mon – Sat: 10:00 – 19:00
Sun: 12:00 – 18:00

[1] Internet connection required.

[2] 2021 Samsung Smart TV models above BU8000.

LONDON, UK – January 2023 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd: With many looking to learn a new skill as we start the year, new research has found that we’re a nation of grandparent gamers. Samsung polled over 65-year old’s in the UK interested in gaming or who have already taken the plunge into gaming and found over four in five (85%) now game at least once a week, and more than a third (36%) gaming every day. The emerging trend reveals two-fifths (42%) of those surveyed game to bond and spend quality time with family members and nearly a quarter (22%) are doing so to boost their mood and stimulate their minds.^[1]

The research comes as Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. reveals although grandparents’ love of virtual gaming started trending in the last couple of years, with almost a fifth (19%) of those polled having picked up the hobby during the pandemic and continued since, there are still setbacks to overcome. Almost a third (32%) of those polled cite ‘not understanding the technology’ and ‘needing someone to explain how to play’ (31%) as holding them back to starting gaming in the past or the future, whilst over a quarter (29%) feel they don’t have the right equipment to get involved.

To aid the older generation, Samsung has teamed up with Twitch and YouTube gaming star, Gee Nelly, to teach TikTok sensation, Grandad Frank – who boasts more than 7M TikTok followers – to game for the first time ever: https://www.tiktok.com/@grandadfrankk/video/7191938009565121797?lang=en

The TikTok opens with Gee Nelly playing an Xbox game she has recently discovered, Sea of Thieves, on a Galaxy Z Fold4 – which boasts a mega 7.6-inch display – before both getting to grips with the game using the Odyssey Ark, a 55” rotating display monitor delivering a cinematic experience. As they navigate Sea of Thieves together, Grandad Frank is introduced to a whole new world of virtual gaming with Gee Nelly’s careful navigation and gaming hacks, exploring the immersive highs which virtual gaming brings. The experience brings Grandad Frank and Gee Nelly’s worlds together through their shared gaming journey and Grandad Frank shares that he’ll certainly have to pick up gaming due to his children and grandchildren as it’ll help bring them together as a family.

Why are the older generation, affectionately coined ‘Old Age Gamers’ (OAGs), shunning Sudokus and logging into the world of virtual gaming? A quarter of those polled, play to keep their mind active and over a fifth (22%) find it helps to boost their mood, whilst 23% find gaming ‘calming’ as it ‘takes their mind off the busy world’ around them.

Grandad Frank said: “It was during the pandemic that I started creating videos on TikTok with my granddaughter, Kiera, and since then we’ve been closer than ever. Embracing the digital world, with the help of my family, has been so much fun over the last few years and has certainly kept us all laughing.

That’s why I’ve teamed up with Samsung to help other older people out there get online, whether it’s playing a video game with your grandchildren or doing a silly TikTok dance. You’ll be amazed by the connection it can bring – I feel like I’m having a second childhood!”

The study revealed that, while around half (51%) of grandparents who already game or would be interested in gaming would like to play by themselves, many already play, or would prefer to play in the future with their family such as children and grandchildren (42%) or partner (41%) as they look for more interaction over the winter months.

Graeme Little, Head of Display at Samsung Electronics UK, said: “The power of connection that technology can bring was evident during the pandemic, and it’s incredible to see the older generation embracing the virtual world and continuing new habits formed over the past few years.

“Grandad Frank and Keira’s content is uplifting and refreshing, and we hope that, with our tips and tricks, other grandparents will feel empowered to take on a new gaming challenge with their families this year.”

Following the busy festive season surrounded by families, it’s no surprise that many may be looking for new ways to connect again with their family and friends in an increasingly digital world. For those looking to upskill themselves in 2023, Samsung boasts a range of products perfect for those looking to play (or compete) with the whole family, from the Galaxy Fold4 to the Odyssey Ark Display Monitor.

For those with a 2022 Samsung Smart TV, the Samsung Gaming Hub provides instant access to the biggest games on Xbox and other top streaming partners – to keep you playing together all the way through the year.

Notes to Editors

Nationwide survey polled 1,000 UK adults 65+ who have played, or would be interested in playing, computer/video games. Conducted 18th – 23rd November 2022

[1] Nationwide survey polled 1,000 UK adults 65+ who have played, or would be interested in playing, computer/video games. Conducted 18^th – 23^rd November 2022.

LONDON, UK – November 17, 2022 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. announced exciting new ways for gamers to experience game streaming with the addition of new partners and the introduction of game streaming to select 2021 Samsung TV models^[1] and 4K games, further delivering on its promise of bringing the future of gaming to consumers across the globe.

Antstream and Blacknut Joining Samsung’s Game Streaming Offer

Antstream Arcade is the world’s largest cloud gaming service that provides players access to over 1,500 iconic games and weekly new multiplayer challenges and tournaments. Select Samsung TV owners will soon be able to battle their friends and the global community at the best games from the 80s, 90s and 00s, from Pac-Man to Mortal Kombat and Metal Slug.

“Antstream Arcade believes that combining gaming’s past with gaming’s future will push the industry forward to the next era of video games,” said Steve Cottam, CEO of Antstream Arcade. “What fulfills that promise better than retro arcade games played on Samsung’s most advanced Smart TVs? Game streaming provides gamers with more opportunities to play games they love or classics they missed out on.”

With a growing catalog of 500+ premium PC and console games, Blacknut’s Cloud Gaming subscription based service offers the largest unlimited access to gaming content for TV screens. Blacknut allows a “click and play” experience, allowing up to five players to play simultaneously on any compatible smartphone, PC or Smart TV. Blacknut’s library focuses on core and casual family members, delivering a wealth of titles spanning classic AAA games, indie favorites, story-driven adventures, strategy and also the largest collection of racing and sports games. Blacknut’s members can enjoy acclaimed hits, such as Metro Exodus, Overcooked as well as a vast collection of Disney games.

“Blacknut is now bringing the largest Cloud Gaming catalog included in one subscription to Samsung, the number one game streaming destination,” said Nabil Laredj, VP, Business Development & Licensing at Blacknut. “We designed Blacknut as a family gaming platform including five player profiles that can play simultaneously. Bringing our service to Samsung devices allows more gamers to experience the future of gaming.”

Launching in 2023, both Antstream and Blacknut game streaming will become available to owners of select 2021, 2022^[2] & 2023 Samsung TVs.

Bringing Cloud Games to Millions of 2021 Samsung Smart TV Owners

Rolling out through the end of the year, Samsung is giving more players access to game streaming through select 2021 Samsung Smart TVs. Samsung will make available individual apps from game streaming partners Xbox, NVIDIA GeForce NOW and Utomik, with Blacknut and Antstream Arcade coming in 2023. By expanding the game streaming experience to select 2021 Samsung Smart TVs, existing Samsung customers will now have instant access to the same games available through the Samsung Gaming Hub on 2022 Smart TVs and Monitors.

“When Samsung Gaming Hub rolled out earlier this year on 2022 TV models, the number one question we received was ‘when is game streaming coming to my 2021 TV’. Today we are happy to share with our eager fans that they will be able to play the games they love before the end of this year,” said Mike Lucero, Head of Product for Gaming at North America Service Business Team, Samsung Electronics. “With any leading Bluetooth-enabled gaming controller and internet connection, millions of players will be able to access an expansive library of games ranging from the best AAAs to the hottest indies and retro games directly through partner apps on select 2021 Smart TVs, making Samsung devices a preferred destination for game streaming.”

Once available, the individual gaming apps can be downloaded from the Samsung App Store via the Media Hub directly on the TV.

4K Games Available on Samsung Smart TVs via NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW

Rolling out in a few weeks, the offer will enable GeForce NOW players to stream PC games at up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second natively in 2022 and select 2021 Samsung Smart TVs without waiting for downloads, installs, patches or updates. GeForce NOW premium membership is required for an enhanced experience including 4K resolution, faster frame rates, RTX ON, priority access to NVIDIA gaming servers and extended eight-hour session lengths^[3].

For more details on the Samsung Gaming Hub, please visit https://www.samsung.com/us/televisions-home-theater/tvs/gaming-hub/

To learn more about the latest Samsung Gaming TV’s visit samsung.com/us/gamingtvs

[1] Eligible 2021 models include: QN800, QN850, QN900, WS1A, QN700, LS03A, AU7000, AU8000, AU9000, Q50, Q60 & Q95-Q70.

[2] Eligible to all 2022 TV models, excluding The Premier and The Freestyle.

[3] GeForceNow premium membership subscription requirement may vary by countries.

Samsung and upday join forces to release Jaxon, an eSports news app. The app brings eSports fans the most up-to-date news across eSports and gaming on titles such as League of Legends, Dota 2, Fortnite, CS: GO, and Valorant. Jaxon is available to download now from the Galaxy Store and the Google Play Store.

The eSports scene is growing at a rapid pace, particularly attracting more and more young fans. In 2021, eSports audience grew 8.7% to 474 million, a 19% increase compared to 2019. This audience will continue to grow with a CAGR of 7.7% to 577.2 million by 2024[i]

With eSports now a global phenomenon, fans want to keep track of the latest news and trends. Alongside the increased appetite for consuming relevant content, the type of content craved is becoming broader and more diversified. In addition to tournament streams or eSports league matches on Twitch and YouTube, many fans want a platform that bundles and classifies the most exciting events in the world of eSports. For this reason, Samsung has developed an app with news platform upday to bring fans the very latest eSports news and content. With Jaxon, users can not only receive an overview of all relevant news, but carefully curated content from the experienced editorial team.

On Jaxon, eSports fans can view the latest content like commentary, exciting match day stories and exclusive interviews from the games they love such as League of Legends, Fortnite, CS: GO, Dota2, and Valorant.

Users can customise which news and formats they want to see by following the channels of their favourite games. In addition to the trending stream, which collates the most important eSports news in full-screen format and focuses on video content that can be consumed quickly, easily, and flexibly. It’s also super simple to switch to the channel of their favourite game with just one swipe, where the respective content is listed in a dedicated feed. The integrated calendar function allows fans to check the start of the next tournament or when popular eSports stars will be playing next.

Another special feature of the app is the eponymous character Jaxon. The space-themed character is intended to give a fresh spin to gaming news. Jaxon will be at the centre of the app and brand as a design element, social media influencer, author, advisor, and offline personality. Jaxon will always share his opinion on the trending topics in eSports in a humorous and informative way.

“eSports is a passion for many of our consumers.” says Benjamin Braun, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Europe. “with the app Jaxon we have created one place for eSport fans to follow the latest game news and content ensuring they never miss a moment from the tournaments and players they love. For all of us that play Fortnite and League of Legends know the thrill of the game and its tournaments.”

Peter Würtenberger, CEO of upday: “For the first time, Jaxon brings together all the latest eSports news and content into one seamless app, meaning fans will never miss updates from their favourite eSports games, tournaments and players”

[i] Source: https://www.auspreiser.de/eSports-report