Samsung wants to bring the benefits of cloud gaming to more TV customers. At Gamescom 2023, the company announced that cloud gaming apps will go live for 2020 Samsung smart TVs before the end of the year.
This announcement followed Samsung's reveal of two new curved monitors and the news about Bethesda's action RPG game Starfield coming to the Gaming Hub platform in early September.
However, Samsung has no plans to bring Gaming Hub to 2020 TV models. More details below.
Story continues after the video
Cloud gaming apps without Gaming Hub
Samsung will bring cloud gaming to older 2020 TV models through individual apps via the App Store. Gaming Hub itself is not going to be available on older TV models from 2020, but other apps will.
In essence, customers who own 2020 TVs in select markets will be able to download individual cloud gaming apps on their devices without needing Gaming Hub. The company hasn't revealed which apps will be released, but hopefully, Xbox and Nvidia GeForce Now are on the list.
Later this year, 2020 Samsung TV users will be able to play hundreds, if not thousands of video games without spending a dime on dedicated hardware such as a gaming PC or a console. Of course, they'll have to set up a monthly subscription plan with the cloud gaming provider of choice. And they'll need to connect at least one controller to the TV.
At Gamescom 2023, Mike Lucero, head of product for gaming at Samsung said “Today, we are thrilled to announce that we will expand cloud gaming apps to our 2020 model-year TVs later this year, giving tens of millions of players access to their favorite games and services.”
Samsung hasn't revealed which 2020 TV models will get access to new cloud gaming apps before the end of 2023, but they probably won't be available for lower-end models like the Crystal series.
Image credit: Samsung
