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“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
Revolutionizing Gaming with the Odyssey OLED G8
Gaming development is a blend of art and technology, requiring the perfect tools to bring a vision to life. Nexon’s upcoming game, The First Descendant, aims to set new standards in the looter-shooter genre with its breathtaking visuals and immersive gameplay. Central to this development is Samsung’s Odyssey OLED G8 monitor, a device that not only displays graphics but enhances their realism to an unprecedented level.
The Journey Behind The First Descendant
In this article, we explore the behind-the-scenes efforts of Nexon Games’ developers who explain how cutting-edge display technology has been instrumental in realizing their ambitious vision. From color accuracy to response times, learn why the Odyssey OLED G8 is more than just a monitor—it’s a game-changer.
Nexon’s Legacy and Future
Founded in 1994, Nexon has emerged as a global powerhouse in online gaming, known for iconic titles such as MapleStory, Dungeon & Fighter, and KartRider. This year, Nexon introduced The First Descendant, a looter-shooter that captivated 260,000 concurrent players at launch. The company is committed to expanding its global footprint and adapting to the ever-evolving gaming industry. In 2021, Nexon acquired Embark Studios AB, a Stockholm-based company working on multiple global projects.
▲ (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.
Roles and Contributions
Q: Can you tell us about your role in developing The First Descendant and how you contributed to the game’s creation?
Kim: I oversee the game engine, developing software that integrates key elements like graphics, sound, and physics engines to ensure they work seamlessly together.
Wi: I handle environmental concept design, creating the overall concept of the game and designing 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)
Innovations and Design Choices
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 merges third-person shooter (TPS) mechanics with role-playing game (RPG) elements. It boasts spectacular combat scenes, high-quality graphics, and a rich loot system featuring powerful guns and gear. The game’s core lies in its storytelling, character development, and the quest for the best weapons and equipment.
A major focus was to bring the open world of The First Descendant to life through advanced graphics. Using Unreal Engine 5, we utilized Nanite to create highly detailed environments, rendering complex landscapes and objects with precision. This was vital for creating an immersive open-world experience where players can explore vast, visually stunning environments. Lumen also played a critical role, providing real-time lighting that dynamically reacts to the game’s world and characters, enhancing the gameplay’s realism.
▲ 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 struggle against the Vulgus, invaders who nearly wiped out the human race. Players assume the role of descendants, embarking on a quest to find the Iron Heart, the ultimate weapon to end the war.
Our design goal was to create an apocalyptic world that felt rich and immersive without being overly dark and futuristic. The environment itself is a key part of the storytelling. We integrated colorful, future-oriented designs for the city of Albion to balance the grim atmosphere with a sense of hope. This approach doesn’t just enhance visual appeal but also engages players on an emotional level.
▲ 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 have helped bring out the intricate design elements.
Creating a Visually Immersive Experience
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 essential 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.
During the development of The First Descendant, I used the Odyssey OLED G8. Its display quality, color accuracy, and quick response time stood out. The monitor delivers colors and contrast with high precision, which was crucial for developing the game. The 0.03ms (GTG) response time made a noticeable difference during our demonstrations.
▲ Sinwook builds out the background concept designs for ‘The First Descendant’ using the Odyssey OLED G8.
Additional Features of 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 Odyssey OLED G8 supports up to three external inputs, which was especially useful when testing across different platforms. Its 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 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.
Enhancing the Gaming Experience
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 the monitor’s peak brightness and supporting standard HDR without manual adjustments. 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.
▲ 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: The Game Bar feature is also 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. Additionally, the sound becomes richer, further enhancing the immersion.
▲ (Left) Default Game Bar settings without a selected genre, (Right) FPS genre selected in Game Bar.
Final Thoughts
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 a high refresh rate, wide color gamut, and fast response time, which greatly 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.
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