How Samsung Has Captured Visual Technology for Video Games

HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology has been transforming visual quality in movies and TV shows for years. Now, with Samsung leading the way with HDR10+ GAMING, this visual enhancement is making its mark on the video game industry. This advancement benefits both game developers and players, offering a richer visual experience with modern graphics and realism.

Samsung Newsroom recently spoke with Bill Mandel, Vice President, and Steve Larson, Senior Manager at Digital Media Solutions, Samsung Research America, about how HDR10+ GAMING is revolutionizing gaming.

Bringing HDR to Gaming

While HDR has significantly enhanced the visual experience for TV and film, its application in video games has been limited. Game engines typically have built-in color management systems that help the connected display render the correct colors. However, due to a lack of communication between screens and game engines, users often have to manually calibrate their displays. To address this, Samsung Research America (SRA) developed HDR10+ GAMING. This technology automatically adjusts HDR settings based on the display’s capabilities, delivering a premium visual experience with accurate color, contrast, and brightness.

“HDR10+ GAMING creates a direct communication link between the screen and the game engine,” said Larson. “This allows the screen to understand what the game engine is doing, and vice versa, resulting in a much better visual output.”

“It’s all about making colors true to the vision of video game creators,” added Mandel.

Simplifying the Process for Game Developers

Game developers were among the first to recognize the need for new technology to address HDR’s limitations in gaming.

“The demand initially came from game developers who wanted their creations to look as good as possible across all displays,” said Mandel. “They were struggling to achieve consistent colors across different monitors.”

“We wanted to make our specifications easy for developers to integrate without burdening them with complex processes,” Larson explained. “Once they incorporate our specs into their game engine, they can apply it across any game developed with that engine. This simplifies industry adoption as it doesn’t depend on specific configurations or devices.”

Enhancing the Experience for Gamers

With HDR10+ GAMING, gamers no longer need to adjust settings manually to optimize their displays.

“HDR10+ GAMING simplifies the process by automatically adjusting game settings, just like it does for movies,” said Mandel. “This ensures gamers get the best picture quality with no hassle—just start the game and enjoy.”

Since HDR10+ GAMING works on both TVs and gaming monitors, players can enjoy consistent, immersive graphics across platforms without needing to configure anything. This is crucial as today’s gamers expect photorealistic visuals.

“When enabled, your device automatically recognizes HDR10+ GAMING as an option in any compatible game and utilizes it,” said Larson. “There’s no need to navigate hidden menus or adjust settings.”

Expanding the Reach of HDR10+ GAMING

One significant advantage of HDR10+ GAMING for developers is that it’s free to implement. With the right APIs, developers can integrate HDR10+ GAMING into their existing game engines without needing specialized training. In September 2023, Samsung partnered with NEXON to release the world’s first HDR10+ GAMING title, The First Descendant.

At Summer Game Fest in June, Samsung showcased its latest Odyssey OLED gaming monitors featuring HDR10+ GAMING capabilities. This combination demonstrates how advanced display technology can elevate the gaming experience in titles like Red Dead Redemption 2.

Samsung has also collaborated with CD PROJEKT RED to bring Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City to life with unprecedented realism. The game has sold over 25 million copies worldwide.

“We designed the system to be incredibly simple to implement,” said Larson. “CD PROJEKT RED was so impressed with how easy it was to incorporate HDR10+ GAMING that they had it up and running in about half a day.”

A Bright Future for HDR10+ GAMING

Samsung is working to expand HDR10+ GAMING to more game engines, including niche ones. The company is collaborating with major studios and developers to integrate the technology into both proprietary and widely-used engines.

“Through partnerships with game companies, we’re expanding the HDR10+ GAMING ecosystem to ensure broader adoption and richer gaming experiences,” said Mandel.

This extensive network will provide developers with powerful tools to create visually stunning games more efficiently. “As a free license technology, we expect to see more games and platforms adopting HDR10+ GAMING,” Mandel added. “For consumers, this means a consistent and immersive gaming experience across a wide range of devices—with minimal setup and maximum visual impact.”

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