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.

Odyssey Ark and the U.K. radical motor sport champion Daryl DeLeon

LONDON, UK – 16th December 2022 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. have collaborated with iconic department store Selfridges to offer shoppers in the capital an exclusive and exciting opportunity to experience first hand Samsung’s new Odyssey Ark gaming screen and Gaming Hub platform this festive season.

Launching today, the Odyssey Ark Gaming Simulator will be located in the menswear section of the department store in the Designer Street Room on the first floor where both shoppers and gamers alike will be able to test their racing skills on the bespoke simulator. With three Odyssey Arks attached together, users will be able enjoy a completely immersive experience in front of multiple of the world’s first 55-inch 4K 1000R curved gaming screens.

The Odyssey Ark delivers a cinematic and immersive experience to gamers with top-class performance. The screen wraps around the player’s field of view, filling their peripheral vision, whilst the Cockpit Mode enables the screen to rotate with HAS (Height Adjustable Stand), tilt and pivot functionality for the ultimate screen environment.

Equipped with Samsung’s Quantum Matrix Technology, Quantum Mini LEDs enable ultra-fine and precise control of the densely packed LEDs. Gamers can also see both dark and bright scenes for ultra-realistic graphics with the newly added 14-bit processing, a sophisticated lighting control technology.

In addition to this, those visiting the department store this winter will also have the opportunity to experience the future of cloud gaming through and check out the Gaming Hub retail display which will be located in the Tech department on the lower ground floor of Selfridges.

Open from 19^th December 2022 until 31^st January 2023, shoppers will get the chance to explore a new way to game and play some of the biggest Xbox Game Pass titles such as Forza Horizon 5, Halo Infinite and Flight Simulator, along with select new releases when they launch day one in the service. The hotly anticipated retail display will feature three gaming stands, the incredible Odyssey Ark gaming screen, and two of Samsung’s latest premium TVs – 55” Neo QLED 8K and 55” Neo QLED 4K.

With thousands of games at your fingertips from partners such as Xbox, NVIDIA GeForce NOW and Utomik, and no PC or console required, users can jump into a world of unlimited possibilities with Samsung Gaming Hub^[1]. Whether you’re in the midst of firefights on the battlefield, taking on hairpin turns on the track, or exploring a fantasy world, users can stream and game instantly.

Tom Morey, Director of Direct-to-Consumer, Samsung Electronics UK&I said: “We’re thrilled to bring both our Gaming Hub retail display and ground-breaking Odyssey Ark gaming screen to consumers this winter at one of the UK’s most popular shopping destinations. There has been a lot of excitement around our Odyssey Ark ever since it launched earlier this year and gaming fans in the capital will now get the chance to experience the gaming screen for themselves and enjoy an adrenaline-fuelled experience like never before.”

“If that wasn’t enough, those visiting Selfridges this Christmas and early next year will also be able to experience the best of gaming all in one place thanks to Samsung Gaming Hub. With no console required, fans can fit in a quick gaming session and jump into their favourite games before or after their shop.”

Selfridges will be offering an exclusive 10% discount promotion for those purchasing the Odyssey Ark and visitors can experience the unique gaming experience at their flagship store in London until the 31^st January 2023.

For more details on Samsung’s Gaming Hub, visit the Gaming Hub page here: https://www.samsung.com/uk/tvs/smart-tv/samsung-gaming-hub/

For more information on Samsung’s Odyssey Ark and Display range, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/uk/monitors/

[1] Samsung Gaming Hub is available in the following countries/regions: US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Korea and Brazil. Service availability for partners may vary by region.

LONDON – 5th September 2022 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announces the world’s first 55-inch 1000R curved gaming screen, the Odyssey Ark is now exclusively available to purchase at Harrods, London^[1] and via Samsung.com.

Located on the 5th floor of the world’s leading luxury department store, Samsung’s concession at Harrods will be equipped with three gaming set-ups where customers can visit and experience the Odyssey Ark for themselves.

The Odyssey Ark delivers a cinematic experience to gamers with top-class performance. The 55-inch screen wraps around the player’s field, filling their peripheral vision, whilst the Cockpit Mode enables the screen to rotate with HAS (Height Adjustable Stand), tilt and pivot functionality for the ultimate screen environment.

Equipped with Samsung’s Quantum Matrix Technology, Quantum Mini LEDs enable ultra-fine and precise control of the densely packed LEDs. Gamers can also see both dark and bright scenes for ultra-realistic graphics with the newly added 14-bit processing, a sophisticated lighting control technology.

Samsung’s Gaming Hub^[2] enables gamers to experience the best of gaming in one place. The all-in-one game streaming platform allows gamers to discover and enjoy their favourite games from partners such as Xbox, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Google Stadia, Utomik, and Amazon Luna, whilst having instant access to top streaming services, as well as popular console and PC games – no downloads or storage space requirements.

“We are delighted to announce that the Odyssey Ark is now available exclusively at Harrods, London”, said Damon Crowhurst, Head of Display at Samsung Electronics UK. “At CES we unveiled the Odyssey Ark and there has been a lot of excitement since so we are thrilled that one of the world’s most iconic stores will be giving UK gamers the chance to get their hands on our incredible product first. Being the world’s first 55-inch curved gaming monitor, gamers can truly immerse themselves in the gaming experience with the ultimate set-up.”

The Odyssey Ark can be purchased exclusively at Harrods, London and via Samsung.com, until the end of September.

For more information on the Odyssey Ark, please visit the Samsung boutique on 5th floor at Harrods or call +44 (0)20 3036 6204.

For more information on Harrods, visit https://www.harrods.com/

[1] Exclusive to Harrods until the 30th September 2022.

[2] Samsung Gaming Hub is available in the following countries/regions: US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Korea and Brazil. Service availability for partners may vary by region.