Samsung and Microsoft have announced that they’re joining forces to bring a vast portfolio of Xbox games to Samsung’s 2022 collection of Smart TVs.
The very simple version of this story is that the Xbox app will be made available on Samsung’s 2022 range of Smart TVs, including its Neo QLED models, plus the company’s Smart Monitor Series. To play the games inside the app, users will need to have a Game pass subscription, so it’s not exactly a ‘free’ deal, but it does mean that gamers will be able to play a host of Xbox games with the need for a console – although of course a suitable Bluetooth controller (including the Xbox Wireless Controller) will be a big help.
The Xbox app should align nicely with Samsung’s own Gaming Hub, and perhaps encourage a few more developers to implement more of the Hub’s features, such as the Super Ultra Wide Game View or Zoom function. Existing Xbox gamers can use their current Microsoft account to log in to the app, where Game Pass users will find more than 100 titles from its current portfolio ready to play, including the likes of Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, and Rainbow Six Extraction. The Samsung Gaming Hub will become available for its 2022 Smart TV models from 30 June in select regions (and more to follow).
For those unfamiliar with Game Pass, it’s a monthly subscription service that gives full access to a constantly evolving line-up of titles, ranging from Day One launches to classics such as Minecraft, FIFA and Fallout. A trial version costs £1 a month, with the full price starting at £7.99 and going up to £10.99 for the Ultimate version that comes with a number of other perks (including the free Xbox Live Gold games). Of course, regular users of the forums may also be aware that you can convert an Xbox Live subscription into cheaper months of Game Pass credit – so newcomers might be wise to take a look at a thread or two.
The announcement was part of a wider presentation by Microsoft ahead of the upcoming Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase at the weekend. The company has also confirmed Xbox Cloud Gaming is now open to users in Argentina and New Zealand, it’s adding new gaming features for Microsoft Edge and Windows 11, and offering even more custom controller options. It’s also announced the Game Pass service is expanding to include demo versions of unreleased games, and Ultimate members will be able to access the cloud to play previously owned games that aren’t available within its current library.
It's also been a busy week for Samsung’s gaming team, as the company has also unveiled its new range of Odyssey Neo gaming monitors, which includes the world’s first 240Hz 4K monitor with the 32-inch G85NB, also known as the G8. It’s joined by the G75NB (32-inch) and G40B (25 and 27-inch), with the former sharing the same 1000R curved 4K screen and 2,000 nit peak brightness, while the flat-screened Full HD G40B also offers up a 240Hz refresh rate. Pricing for these models is available on request, with all models due to start shipping this month.
However, if you’re rather more excited by the prospect of playing Xbox games on your new Samsung TV then do let us know in the comments. Likewise, if you’re not much of a gamer or can’t justify the expense of a new console, would having access to these games on your new TV make you more willing to grab a controller?
SOURCE: Samsung / Microsoft (via press releases / Newsrooms)
IMAGES: Samsung / Microsoft