Samsung launches cloud gaming for Galaxy devices, but it’s not what you think [Gallery]

Ben Schoon | Nov 22 2024 - 12:15 pm PT

First launched in beta in 2023, Samsung has officially launched its own cloud gaming services for Galaxy devices in the US.

As teased earlier this year, Samsung has officially rolled out cloud gaming services via the “Gaming Hub” on Galaxy devices. The announcement was oddly buried within a commercial-focused post on the company’s newsroom, but the feature is live now within the Samsung Gaming Hub.

Samsung Electronics is transforming mobile gaming by fully commercializing its mobile cloud gaming platform as it officially launches out of beta in North America.

First introduced as an open beta last year, Samsung’s mobile cloud gaming platform delivers significant benefits to players by allowing full-fledged Android-native games to be played instantly without download or reduced latency on all Galaxy devices, and to game publishers by driving massive efficiency and scale for user acquisition.

Unlike other cloud gaming services which tend to focus on bringing PC/console games to platforms that wouldn’t otherwise be able to run those games, Samsung’s version of cloud gaming for Galaxy devices simply allows for Android games to be played without a full download being needed. Examples shown in Gaming Hub currently include Monopoly Go!, Homescapes, Marvel Contest of Champions, and more.

Once you select a game, streaming starts almost immediately. I noticed that the game isn’t as sharp as I’d expect, with everything looking slightly lower in resolution compared to what you’d expect from a local install. Still, it seems like a handy alternative to installing a ton of games. A Samsung account is required to stream any games.

Notably, games even work on the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s wider aspect ratio.