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Samsung's new gaming hub for 2022 TVs offers easy access to cloud and console games.
SamsungThe most popular way to game on a nice TV is with a dedicated console like a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, but cloud gaming services -- which stream playable games over the internet, no console required -- are getting better all the time. At CES 2022, Samsung unveiled a new feature on its latest televisions that caters to cloud and console gamers alike.
Dubbed the gaming hub, it's a dedicated section of Samsung's new smart TV menu system launching later this year on select Samsung 2022 smart TVs. The full cloud gaming libraries of Google Stadia, Nvidia GeForce Now and Utomik will be available at launch "with more to follow," according to Samsung's press release. Users will be able to pair third-party controllers to the TV for instant play, no console or other hardware required. The hub will also allow access to YouTube gaming to follow streamers.
Built-in cloud gaming support on smart TVs isn't new. LG supports both Stadia and GeForce Now (currently in beta) on select TVs, Stadia is available on Google TV and Android TV models from TCL, Hisense and others, while select Amazon Fire TVs support Luna. Of course you can always connect a dedicated cloud gaming device, such as a Chromecast with Google TV for Stadia, a Fire TV Stick for Luna or an Nvidia Shield for GeForce Now or Stadia, to any TV.
Samsung's gaming hub also includes buttons that allow quick access to any attached consoles, and Samsung is adding a few new gaming-specific extras to its new TVs. There's a new version of the game bar first introduced last year, with more information available on things like refresh rate or VRR mode. There's also a zoom mode that can expand things like mini-maps and even the ability to pull up a YouTube video alongside a game -- a boon if you get stuck and need a tutorial.
Read more: Samsung Neo QLED TVs promise prettier pictures, better gaming at CES 2022
New for 2022, select TVs will have a 144Hz variable refresh rate -- a feature designed to take advantage of the hastiest video output from high-end PC gaming cards. Note that consoles like the Xbox Series X and Sony PlayStation 5 max out at 120Hz, so they won't take advantage of this feature, and in any case, the extra smoothness should be subtle.
CNET asked which 2022 TVs would get the gaming hub, and whether it would make its way to 2021 or earlier models, but Samsung didn't reply by press time.