Samsung’s HDR10+ GAMING Revolutionizes Visual Tech for Video Games

"Bringing Game Creators’ Vision to Life: The Impact of HDR10+ GAMING"

– Bill Mandel, VP, Samsung Research America

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HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology has significantly enhanced the visual experience for movies and TV shows over the past few years. Now, with Samsung leading the charge through HDR10+ GAMING, this visual advancement is making its way into the realm of video games. This technology is poised to benefit both game creators and players, allowing for maximum visual fidelity in modern gaming graphics and realism.

We had the opportunity to speak with Bill Mandel, Vice President, and Steve Larson, Senior Manager at Digital Media Solutions, Samsung Research America, about HDR10+ GAMING and its transformative impact on the gaming industry.

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Gamers and Game Creators Deserve HDR Too

While HDR has dramatically improved the visual quality for television and film, its application in video games has been somewhat limited. This is due to game engines having built-in color management systems that assist connected displays in showing the correct colors. However, the absence of seamless communication between screens and game engines has often required users to manually calibrate their displays.

"HDR10+ GAMING establishes a direct line of communication between the screen and the game engine," said Steve Larson from Samsung Research America.

In response to this challenge, Samsung Research America (SRA) began developing HDR10+ GAMING. This technology automatically adjusts HDR settings based on the screen’s capabilities, providing an unparalleled visual experience through accurate color, contrast, and brightness.

"It’s all about making colors truer to the vision of video game creators," added Bill Mandel.

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Engineering a Simple Solution for the Artists

Game developers were among the first to recognize the need for new technology to address HDR’s limitations in gaming. They sought a solution that would allow their games to look the best across different monitors.

"The initial need came from game developers themselves who want the games they build to look the best they possibly can," said Mandel. "They were struggling to get colors to look the way they hoped across monitors."

To address this, Samsung aimed to create specifications that were easy for game developers to implement without adding an extra burden. Once developers integrate HDR10+ GAMING specs into their game engine, it can be used across any game built on that engine, simplifying adoption across the industry.

"We wanted the specs we published to be simple for game developers to use, without a heavy burden," noted Larson. "This significantly simplifies adoption across the industry because it doesn’t rely on certain configurations or devices. It’s easy."

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Making It Simple for the Players

HDR10+ GAMING also simplifies the process for gamers, who no longer need to manually adjust their monitor settings.

"HDR10+ GAMING simplifies the process by automatically adjusting settings for games, just like it does for movies," explained Mandel. "This ensures gamers get the best picture quality without any hassle — just turn on the game and go."

This technology works seamlessly on both TVs and gaming monitors, allowing gamers to enjoy consistent, immersive graphics without the need for manual setup. This is particularly important as today’s gamers expect photorealistic graphics in their games.

"When activated, your device automatically identifies that HDR10+ GAMING is an available option in any compatible game and takes advantage of it," said Larson. "There’s no need to navigate a hidden menu or adjust settings."

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Lowering the Threshold for the Gaming Industry

One of the major advantages of HDR10+ GAMING for game developers is that it is free to implement. By using the right application programming interfaces (APIs), developers can integrate HDR10+ GAMING into their existing game engines without requiring specialized training.

"It’s simple. Once developers integrate our specs into their game engine, they can use it across any game built in that engine," stated Larson.

In September 2023, Samsung partnered with NEXON to launch the world’s first HDR10+ GAMING title, "The First Descendant." At the Summer Game Fest in June, Samsung showcased its latest Odyssey OLED gaming monitors equipped with HDR10+ GAMING capabilities. This combination of advanced display technology and HDR10+ GAMING demonstrates how it can elevate the gaming experience in titles like "Red Dead Redemption 2."

Samsung has also collaborated with CD PROJEKT RED on "Cyberpunk 2077," bringing the game’s fictitious Night City, California, to life with unprecedented visual fidelity. The game has been a massive success, selling over 25 million copies worldwide.

"We designed the system to be incredibly simple to implement," said Larson. "In fact, CD PROJEKT RED told us that they knew HDR10+ GAMING was something they wanted to use. Their team was actually able to get it up and running in about half a day."

"This is a free license technology. We’ll see a lot more games and platforms adopting the technology," added Mandel.

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A Radiant Future Ahead for HDR10+ GAMING

Looking ahead, Samsung plans to expand HDR10+ GAMING to include additional game engines, including those that are more niche. The company is already working with major studios and developers to integrate this technology into their proprietary and widely adopted engines.

"Through collaborations with game companies, we will expand the HDR10+ GAMING ecosystem — ensuring broader adoption and richer gaming experiences," said Mandel.

This wide network will provide game developers with a versatile and powerful set of tools to create visually stunning games more efficiently.

"As this is a free license technology, we’ll see a lot more games and platforms adopting the technology," Mandel continued. "For consumers, it means a consistent and immersive gaming experience across a range of devices — with minimal setup and maximum visual impact."

Mandel and Larson anticipate a significant increase in the number of developers, games, and users leveraging HDR10+ GAMING in the near future.

"Expect big things to come!" remarked Mandel.

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In summary, HDR10+ GAMING is set to revolutionize the gaming industry by providing game developers and players with a powerful tool for achieving stunning visual quality. With Samsung at the forefront, this technology promises to deliver a consistent, immersive gaming experience across various devices, making colors truer to the vision of game creators and simplifying the process for everyone involved. Whether you’re a game developer or a gamer, HDR10+ GAMING is an exciting advancement that will undoubtedly enhance the visual experience of modern gaming.

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