Samsung Meets Mobile Game Developers in India at Pocket Gamer Connects 2016
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By Samsung Newsroom
The Samsung Developer Conference 2024 (SDC24) kicked off on October 3 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. SDC24 attendees engaged in intellectual exchange with one another and shared their visions for enhancing the lives and experiences of users.
Samsung Newsroom captured some highlights from the event, which brought together developers and Samsung Electronics partners from around the world.
Exploring Samsung’s AI Roadmap at Tech Session
Tech Session at SDC24 became a platform for Samsung executives and employees to present the current state and future vision of Samsung’s AI innovations. This year, Tech Session was divided into five themes — Device AI, SmartThings, Responsible AI, Advanced Tech and Enterprise & Ecosystem. Each theme highlighted AI innovations spanning the entire product line including Galaxy AI, AI TVs and Bespoke AI appliances as well as the platforms that power these AI products. Discussions also touched on establishing a blueprint for enhanced security technologies.
Among the innovations discussed that captivated attendees were the AI capabilities of Samsung TVs, which have been refined to more accurately recognize users and contexts for optimal viewing. Also on the agenda were Bespoke AI appliances equipped with Bixby to upgrade the smart home experience. .
Additionally, the Samsung Health SDK Suite offered a glimpse into the future of digital health with its potential to transform the healthcare ecosystem.
Transforming AI-Driven Communication and Exchange at Open Stage
SDC24 featured diverse programs designed to foster communication and interaction among developers including Open Stage, where various external speakers shared their knowledge and industry expertise; a Q&A session with Tech Session speakers; and the Roundtable, discussion sessions for attendees to explore the exhibits and exchange ideas.
Developer Tiffany Janzen, the founder of TiffinTech, spoke about the future of everyday life shaped by the convergence of AI and IoT during Open Stage. Meanwhile, Q&A session attendees participated in lively discussions and shared valuable insights.
Experiencing AI-Powered Software Solutions at Tech Square
Tech Square, an exhibition space showcasing Samsung’s latest innovations, provided participants with a firsthand look at the company’s cutting-edge software and AI-based services.
Developers lined up to explore the latest AI features integrated into TVs, home appliances and more. The Generative Wallpaper feature on Samsung TVs as well as the Bespoke AI Family Hub in particular garnered a large amount of attention from developers.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, SmartThings evolved with AI to launch Home Insight and expand SmartThings Hub to a wider range of products.
HARMAN, a Samsung subsidiary, made an appearance at the event as well. The company introduced technology aimed at helping developers enter the automotive app market and demonstrated its Ignite platform, offering a variety of in-vehicle experiences including automotive apps.
Expanding Samsung’s Software Ecosystem With Partners
Partner companies leading software and device innovation were also present at Tech Square. The Partnership Zone provided a comprehensive overview of their devices and solutions within the SmartThings and Samsung Health ecosystem. Attendees experienced different real-life scenarios with treadmills, blood pressure monitors, smart body scales and more for an up-close look at the future of personalized healthcare at home through the seamless integration of Samsung Health and SmartThings.
Additionally, Samsung Wallet saw further advancements through collaborations with various partners, including smart key companies. For instance, the door lock functionality of SmartThings has been integrated into Samsung Wallet as a digital home key for improved convenience and usability. From mobile payment to storing digital IDs and event tickets, most of Samsung Wallet’s existing features were developed and launched in close collaboration with partner companies.
Diving Into Samsung’s Software at Code Lab
Featuring a total of 13 coding programs, Code Lab provided developers with hands-on coding experiences covering topics such as health, SmartThings, Samsung Wallet and automotive apps. After selecting their areas of interest, developers solved various software challenges under a time limit for an engaging and interactive experience.
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By Samsung Newsroom
“Playing The First Descendant on the Odyssey monitor with HDR10+ GAMING allows you to experience the game’s vivid, high-quality graphics at their best”
– Junhwan Kim, Lead programmer, Engine Program team, Nexon Games
Game development is an art, and like any masterpiece, it requires the right tools. Nexon’s upcoming title, The First Descendant, is set to redefine the looter-shooter genre with its stunning visuals and immersive gameplay. At the heart of this development process is Samsung’s Odyssey OLED G8 — a monitor that not only displays these graphics but elevates them to a new level of realism.
Join us as we dive into the behind-the-scenes journey with the developers at Nexon Games, who reveal how this cutting-edge display technology has helped bring their ambitious vision to life. From the precision of color to the speed of response, discover why the Odyssey OLED G8 is more than just a monitor — it’s a game-changer in the industry.
Founded in 1994, Nexon has become a global leader in online gaming. Known for creating popular titles like MapleStory, Dungeon & Fighter and KartRider, Nexon continues to push boundaries in the gaming world. This year, the company introduced The First Descendant, a looter-shooter that attracted 260,000 concurrent players at launch. Nexon is focused on expanding its global reach and adapting to the fast-changing gaming industry. In 2021, Nexon completed the acquisition of Embark Studios AB, a company based in Stockholm, Sweden, developing multiple projects for global release.
▲ (From left) Lead Engine Programmer Junhwan Kim from the Engine Program team and Lead World Concept Artist Sinwook Wi, from the Environmental Concept Design team at Nexon Games, sat down with Samsung to talk about their latest project, The First Descendant and how the Odyssey OLED G8 played a role in its development.
Q. Can you tell us about your role in developing The First Descendant and how you contributed to the game’s creation?
Kim: I’m responsible for the game engine. I develop the software that integrates essential elements like graphics, sound and physics engines, make them work seamlessly together.
Wi: I handle the environmental concept design. My role involves creating the overall concept of the game and designing the backgrounds and characters to fit within that environment.
▲ (From left) Gley, Blair and Enzo, key characters from Nexon’s looter-shooter game ‘The First Descendant’ (Image courtesy of Nexon)
Q. What sets The First Descendant apart? What were some of the key innovations and design choices that defined your approach?
Kim: The First Descendant is a looter shooter that blends third-person shooter (TPS) mechanics with role-playing game (RPG) elements. It features spectacular combat scenes, high-quality graphics and a rich loot system filled with powerful guns and gear. The core of the game lies in its storytelling, character development and the pursuit of the best weapons and equipment.
A major focus for us was bringing the open world of The First Descendant to life through cutting-edge graphics. Using Unreal Engine 5, we leveraged Nanite to achieve highly detailed environments, allowing us to render complex landscapes and objects with incredible precision. This was crucial for creating an immersive open-world experience where players can explore vast and visually stunning environments. Lumen played a significant role as well, enabling real-time lighting that reacts dynamically to the game’s world and characters, further enhancing the realism of the gameplay.
* Open World: A game design element that allows players to freely explore most areas with minimal restrictions.
* Unreal Engine 5: A game engine developed by Epic Games, known for key features like Nanite, which efficiently handles high-capacity graphics, and Lumen, which enhances lighting effects.
▲ Junhwan works on the development of ‘The First Descendant’ using the Odyssey OLED G8. The Odyssey OLED G8 delivers superb graphics with its high resolution and color accuracy.
Wi: The game is set in an apocalyptic world where factions — each with their own traditions — battle for survival. The story follows humanity’s fight against the Vulgus, invaders who nearly wiped out the human race. Players take on the role of descendants, embarking on a quest to find the Iron Heart, the ultimate weapon to end the war.
On the design front, our goal was to create an apocalyptic world that felt rich and immersive while avoiding the overly dark and futuristic look often seen in similar settings. The environment itself is a key part of the storytelling. So, we integrated colorful, future-oriented designs for city of Albion to balance the grim atmosphere with a sense of hope. This approach doesn’t just end at the visual appeal but also helps the game engage players on an emotional level, too.
▲ Sinwook works on the design for the city of Albion, a key area in ‘The First Descendant,’ using the Odyssey OLED G8. The monitor’s consistent colors and detailed contrast has helped bring out the intricate design elements.
Q. As a game developer, what do you consider the most important factors in creating a visually immersive gaming experience?
Kim: A high-quality display is crucial to accurately present the game’s graphics and visuals. Today’s gaming standards demand seamless gameplay with vibrant graphics, high frame rates, detailed resolutions and minimal input lag. To fully experience these advancements, it’s crucial to use a gaming monitor with high resolution, a wide color gamut and fast response times.
As part of our collaboration with Samsung, I received the Odyssey OLED G8 during the development of The First Descendant, and what stood out to me was the monitor’s awesome display quality — color accuracy, expressions and its quick response time. The monitor delivers colors and contrast with a high level of precision, which was crucial for developing the game. The 0.03ms (GTG) response time made a noticeable difference during our demonstrations as well.1
“[With the Odyssey OLED G8,] You get two distinct display experiences with a single monitor—16:9 for working and 21:9 for playing”
– Wi Sinwook, Lead World Concept Artist, Environmental Concept Design team, Nexon Games
Wi: As a World Concept Artist, I constantly ask myself, “How can I best convey the immersive universe to players?” I want players to experience every detail of the environments and even the subtle expressions of the characters as they were intended. For that, a display accurately reproduces colors and fine details is crucial. When players can see the subtle nuances in shading and the vibrant colors, it significantly enhances their immersion in the game.
▲ Sinwook builds out the background concept designs for ‘The First Descendant’ using the Odyssey OLED G8.
Q. Other than picture quality, were there any other the Odyssey OLED G8 features that stood out when you were working on and demonstrating the game?
Kim: The First Descendant is a multi-platform game, available on PC (Steam) and consoles. The fact that the Odyssey OLED G8 supports up to three external inputs,2 was especially helpful when we were testing across the different platforms. The sleek, metal design also saved space and complemented the game’s sci-fi aesthetic.
▲ Junhwan demonstrates the console version of ‘The First Descendant’ on the Odyssey OLED G8. The Odyssey OLED G8 offers enhanced convenience with 2 HDMI 2.1 ports, 1 DisplayPort 1.4 and a USB hub.
Wi: Working on the design and demonstrating the game on the Odyssey OLED G8, I found the gameplay smoother and more comfortable compared to my previous monitor. The colors and contrast were balanced and accurate, even on the big screen.
I also really appreciated the ability to switch the screen ratio between 16:9 and 21:9 with just a single setting change. Normally, I avoid wide monitors due to the viewing angle, but the Odyssey OLED G8 made it convenient to switch between ratios for different tasks — 16:9 for working and 21:9 for demonstrating the game. The big advantage is that you get two distinct display experiences with a single monitor.
▲ The Odyssey OLED G8’s Game Bar allows users to switch between 21:9 and 16:9 screen ratios, enabling them to enjoy games in their preferred ratio.
“The fact that the Odyssey OLED G8 supports up to three external inputs, was especially helpful when we were testing across platforms like PCs and different consoles”
– Junhwan Kim, Lead Programmer, Engine Program team, Nexon Games
Q. What features of the Odyssey OLED G8 do you think will elevate the experience for The First Descendant players?
Kim: The First Descendant is the world’s first HDR10+ GAMING title. We collaborated with Samsung to implement this technology in our game, optimizing peak brightness of the monitor and supporting standard HDR without the need for manual adjustments.3 Playing The First Descendant on the Odyssey monitor with HDR10+ GAMING allows you to experience the game’s vivid, high-quality graphics at their best.
* HDR10+ GAMING: A gaming technology that enhances image quality by analyzing game content to enhance the depth of graphics and supporting features like response time and Auto HDR.
▲ The Odyssey OLED G8 supports HDR10+ GAMING, allowing gamers to enjoy an optimized HDR gaming experience without manual adjustments in supported titles. ‘The First Descendant’ is the first game to feature HDR10+ GAMING technology.
Wi: Unlike my previous monitor, where colors near the edges tended to darken, the Odyssey OLED G8 maintained consistent brightness across the entire screen. The thin frame and bezel also made it easier to focus on the game.
▲ The Odyssey OLED G8’s slim metal design and Core Lighting+ on the back enhance user immersion and create a stylish gaming space.
Kim: I also found the Game Bar feature to be helpful. When the Odyssey OLED G8 is connected to a PC or console, it automatically calls up the Game Bar. Selecting FPS mode in the Game Bar brightens dark areas in the game, giving you an advantage over hidden enemies. Also, the sound becomes richer, further enhancing the immersion.
▲ (Left) Default Game Bar settings without a selected genre, (Right) FPS genre selected in Game Bar.
Q. Any final words for The First Descendant players?
Kim: If you’re a fan of The First Descendant, or any third-person shooter (TPS) game with high-quality graphics, the Odyssey OLED G8 is an excellent choice. It has high refresh rate, wide color gamut and fast response time, which really enhance the gaming experience.
Wi: I’ve always debated between choosing a monitor with high resolution and refresh rate for gameplay versus one with accurate colors and contrast for development. The Odyssey OLED G8 meets both needs perfectly, so I can confidently recommend it to any gamer…or developer!
1 Based on GtG measured under internal test conditions. Results may vary by content, monitor settings and the performance of the input source.
2 Supports 2 HDMI 2.1 cables, one Display Port 1.4 and three USB 3.0 ports (1 Up, 2 Down)
3 To use HDR10+ GAMING, the content must be HDR10+ GAMING compatible, and additional settings may need to be adjusted depending on the content.
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By Samsung Newsroom
“Tizen is a homegrown platform that continues to evolve”
– Jeongsik Cheon, Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics
Viewers around the world have come to expect more from their TVs. Today, people don’t just flip through channels but also use TVs to access streaming services, workout routines and social media. They even connect their home appliances to their TVs, expanding what used to be a viewing device into the centerpiece of a smart home ecosystem.
These new experiences require open collaboration with service providers and greater compatibility with a plethora of devices. So 10 years ago, Samsung’s Visual Display Business made the bold decision to forgo its tried-and-true closed operating system (OS) and create an open one. That open OS is Tizen.
▲ Since its launch in 2015, Tizen has become a dominant OS for smart TVs.
Hundreds of millions of TVs now feature Tizen, which is poised to bring more artificial intelligence (AI) features into the fold.
Five developers from Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Business recently shared behind-the-scenes stories with Samsung Newsroom about how they revolutionized the TV experience. Kwangsub Byun, Jeongsik Cheon and Youngsoo Kang helped the transition to Tizen a decade ago. Sunyong Jung and Seoyoung Hwang currently fine-tune Tizen for Samsung’s TVs.
▲ (From left to right) Youngsoo Kang, Jeongsik Cheon, Kwangsub Byun, Sunyong Jung and Seoyoung Hwang
New Wine, New Wineskin
First deployed in 2011, Orsay was the stable, proven OS that Samsung used for its TVs. As a closed platform, Orsay followed the traditional TV model — focusing on effectively handling signals from each physical input with additional services largely depending on features planned, designed and programmed prior to shipment.
A closed operating system is completely owned and controlled by its primary developer testing, maintenance and quality management easier. But this very exclusivity makes it hard for external players to make contributions.
▲ The evolution of Samsung’s TV operating systems
In contrast, the source code in an open operating system is available to the public and can be more freely modified and distributed. This makes it easier to attract third-party developers as well as create and share development tools.
Tizen is an open platform, running on open-source software. This openness was the main reason Samsung decided to make the switch, explained Byun.
“The concept behind Tizen was to bring in various outside developers and expand the ecosystem,” he said. Rather than imagine and create each and every new TV experience, Samsung would commit to its philosophy of open collaboration.
▲ Youngsoo Kang explains the differences between Orsay and Tizen.
Another difference between the two operating systems is the mode of processing, Kang explained. Tizen is capable of carrying out multiple operations simultaneously, whereas Orsay only handled one task at a time.
Kang used a transportation analogy to explain the difference. Orsay is like a bus that many people share, even though each passenger has a different destination.
“Each person boards the bus with their luggage,” he said. “When one rider encounters a challenge, everyone on the bus is affected.”
Tizen, on the other hand, is more like a road that people travel on in their own vehicles.
“Everyone has their own ride,” Kang continued. “If one driver has a problem, it doesn’t affect the other drivers on the road. Each driver can solve their own problems.”
For a smart TV — which must be flexible enough to meet customers’ varied needs — he said Tizen’s multiprocessing capabilities make it a more efficient choice.
“I wondered why we had to take such a tough path when our TV business was doing well with Orsay. But looking back, Tizen was the right way.”
– Youngsoo Kang, Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics
A Leap of Faith
Buy-in was one thing, but execution was another. A fundamental change such as an OS switch is no small endeavor. Tizen’s multiprocessing design presented several technical complications, and having to comply with open standards added to the challenge. The team was under significant pressure.
“We knew there would be no turning back,” said Byun. “And we were all in. We were going to apply Tizen to all our models, not just some of them.”
Compared to the development of Orsay, not only were processes such as coding, testing and quality checking totally altered, but the sheer number of people involved in the project increased as well. Many of them worked in different time zones.
Yet, there were also advantages to changing to an open-source platform. For one, the work proceeded faster with each step.
“When developing Orsay, developers had to generate lines of code one by one and wait for hours to run simulations,” he added. “Working overnight was a daily routine. We told each other that it was like working with a stone ax.”
With open-source modules and development tools to work with, building Tizen for Samsung TVs became a faster process.
▲ (From left) Orsay developers Youngsoo Kang, Jeongsik Cheon and Kwangsub Byun
To maximize the advantage of an open-source platform, the Tizen team focused on creating a streamlined environment for the developers, publishing the application programming interface (API) and using open standards.
The developers also made efforts to distribute software development kits (SDKs) while opening resources to make the architecture and licensing more accessible. As a result, Samsung Smart TV users now enjoy a wealth of external apps — such as Netflix, Spotify and Apple TV — in addition to Samsung’s own services.
“The transition to Tizen was like breaking out of our shells,” said Kang, one of the more senior developers. “Sometimes I wondered why we had to take such a tough path when our TV business was doing well with Orsay. But looking back, Tizen was the right way. Now, I’m ready for the next step.”
New Smart Experiences Through Tizen
With Tizen, Samsung expanded its sphere of expertise in TVs beyond hardware to software and greatly impacted the TV ecosystem. Tizen is considered the ideal operating system to advance the smart home concept, since it not only connects devices to each other but also gives users access to a broad range of interconnected services and content.
As of the end of 2023, Tizen powered 270 million Samsung Smart TVs — making it one of the most widely deployed operating systems in the TV industry. Given the positive feedback from the market, Jung couldn’t be more proud.
“Samsung TVs are structured very intuitively,” said Jung. “When you look at the menu, you immediately understand the whole interface. There are only a few buttons to press or movements to make to arrange the settings as you want. We’ve drastically reduced the number of steps required to make Tizen superior to other operating systems.”
▲ (From left) Tizen developers Sunyong Jung and Seoyoung Hwang
“Even though it’s an open-source platform, many advantages come from the fact that we developed it ourselves,” Jung continued. “We can freely try out new services and, when they’re ready, provide them right away. Samsung TV Plus is a great example of how we introduced a new streaming and video-on-demand service that’s streamlined with prior TV experiences that users are familiar with. We’re also receiving great feedback about the new Samsung Gaming Hub.”
Tizen has also made smart TV services an important revenue stream. Samsung TV Plus and Samsung Gaming Hub complement TV sales by generating profit after sales, Jung explained.
“We’re constantly making efforts to improve the platform and expand our lineup of licensed products to increase our market appeal,” he said.
“Tizen is a home-grown platform that continues to evolve,” agreed Cheon, who took part in the transition from Orsay to Tizen.
“I want to leave behind something meaningful to those who come after me.”
– Seoyoung Hwang, Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics
Tizen as an AI Champion
▲ Seoyoung Hwang explains how Tizen will allow AI technology to shine.
AI is becoming the focus of increasing attention in the tech industry. Hwang points out that Tizen played a key role in equipping TVs with AI functions.
“Like upscaling, Samsung TVs have been using AI technology to improve picture and sound quality for many years,” she said. “The processing power and flexibility that Tizen provides is a big part of how that’s possible.”
Thanks to Tizen and some dramatic hardware upgrades, Samsung TVs now offer more AI features that holistically improve the user experience.
“2024 Samsung QLED 8K can recognize game genres and automatically set the best screen mode for a particular game,” she said. “The TV can also personalize content recommendations based on the user’s preferences.”
AI functions on the Tizen platform will soon become more advanced and further heighten the user experience, she added.
Since its launch, Tizen was a flexible operating system that supported various other form factors. For Samsung’s Visual Display Business, smart TVs and monitors, beam projectors and business-to-business signage products like The Wall add to the list of Tizen-powered devices. Jung says that newer devices, such as the AI companion Ballie, will also be equipped with Tizen.
“We can use the high-performance computing resources embedded in Ballie as an edge device to complement various in-home uses,” Hwang said. “This is an exemplary case of using AI technology through hyperconnectivity. To provide various AI services, we need platform technologies such as cloud, on-device and edge. I think the Tizen platform will play a pivotal role in this regard.”
Eyes Ahead to the Future of TV
Tizen was born from a bold decision Samsung made to provide the best experiences to its users. This paved the way for smart TVs. Now, Samsung continues to help foster the use of AI across various form factors.
▲ (From left to right) Youngsoo Kang, Sunyong Jung, Byun Kwangsub, Jeongsik Cheon and Seoyoung Hwang
When asked what Tizen meant to her, Hwang expressed respect for the developers at Samsung who took that initial leap of faith.
“Embedded in Tizen is the wisdom of my senior colleagues who paved the way,” she said. “I want to leave behind something meaningful to those who come after me as well.”
“I think of Tizen as a ladder to the future,” Jung added. “The possibilities are infinite.”
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