what you need to know
- Samsung has detailed the rebranding of the game launcher on its Galaxy phones to “Mobile Game Center.”
- The shift brings Android phones (nominally) closer to gaming hubs on smart TVs and monitors.
- Samsung’s “Instant Games” are available on mobile game centers, allowing users to play games without downloading them.
Samsung has announced that it has renamed One UI’s old “Game Launcher” on Galaxy phones to “Mobile Game Center.”
The rebrand brings Samsung’s Android phones closer to the gaming hub users find on its smart TVs and monitors, according to a press release. Game Center gives users access to “Instant Games,” a feature that the original launcher has had since its launch.
Samsung highlighted the feature, saying mobile gamers will have “instant access” to games without downloading. Instant Plays is still in a “limited” beta, with only a few select games for the U.S. and Canada.
Additionally, the Korean OEM said its mobile game streaming hub supports native Android APKs, existing in-game monetization models for game publishers, and cloud-based solutions for developers.
The hub’s official page details familiar features such as the ability to manage downloaded games, reminders of exclusive game perks, and coupons.
Samsung discussed furthering its ambitions to stream mobile games to Galaxy users at the Game Developers Conference (GDC 2024). “Our vision for Mobile Game Center is to provide an all-in-one gaming platform optimized for Galaxy users, making it easier for players to play and discover games without downloading and waiting,” said Jikhan Jung, the company’s corporate vice president.
Samsung debuted its original gaming hub for larger displays during CES 2022. The game streaming discovery platform works on smart TVs and more, supporting Xbox, GeForce Now, Utomik and Amazon Luna. Users can seamlessly connect supported game controllers to stream popular games to their TV without the need for a console.
While it may not be mentioned, Galaxy users jumping into Game Center should still find controller support.
Samsung didn’t specifically list any new content for its Game Center rebrand for mobile. However, the center specifically leverages some artificial intelligence gaming software to provide curated recommendations on its home screen. Perhaps there’s more to come as the company continues to “innovate” on its game streaming platform.
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