Return Entertainment, a Finland game developer making cloud games for Samsung smart TVs, has reported positive early success with its titles in the U.S.
Available exclusively on Samsung smart TVs in the United States, Return Entertainment launched its Rivals Arena trivia game in May. The title let players engage in multiplayer experiences using a smartphone or just a remote control to operate games on the TV, with new content coming in via the cloud.
Return Entertainment said the smart TV gaming platform is not just another way to play—it’s a leap
forward in home entertainment technology. By simply scanning a QR code, users can dive into
cinematic games on their Samsung smart TVs, all while using their smartphones as intuitive
and responsive controllers.
A survey conducted by Return Entertainment within the game found that 85% of players reported that the mobile controller was easy to use. Additionally, 88% of players said they were able to start the game quickly. This platform is designed to blur the lines between casual TV viewing and interactive gaming, making it easier than ever to engage in gaming from the comfort of their living rooms.
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Vesa Jutila, CEO of Return Entertainment, said in a statement, “Our platform is capturing the attention of
mainstream TV viewers who have never considered themselves gamers before. With 44% of our users playing on their TV for the first time, we’re seeing the untapped potential of smart TV gaming. Our groundbreaking technology is transforming TV screens into interactive entertainment hubs, opening new possibilities for how people experience games in their homes.”
“Samsung is committed to providing players with more ways to discover and enjoy the games they love,” said Mike Lucero, head of gaming at Samsung Electronics America, in a statement. “With our latest gaming initiative, Rivals Arena, Samsung Smart TV owners interact with gaming content in an entirely new way. We’ve seen high engagement from our community with this initiative, and will continue to listen to our audience and build on what we learn to offer more value for our players.”
Operating at an efficient bitrate of just below 4Mbps, the smart TV gaming platform ensures smooth, high-quality gameplay even under challenging network conditions. With 95% of players experiencing less than 1% of skipped frames and a remarkable 95% enjoying flawless streams.
This platform takes advantage of Samsung Smart TV’s AI upscaling capabilities, elevating the visual experience by effortlessly converting full HD 1080p streams into 4K resolution. The combination of low-latency streaming and high-quality visuals sets a new standard in the industry, offering players an unmatched gaming experience that is both accessible and visually spectacular.
Adding in-game ads
For the first time in smart TV gaming, Return Entertainment’s platform has seamlessly integrated in-game video ads, including both unskippable video interstitials and optional rewarded ads. This approach provides a new revenue stream for game developers and TV manufacturers and improves player engagement by offering rewards for watching ads. The inclusion of rewarded video ads marks a significant milestone, introducing a proven mobile gaming monetization strategy to the smart TV landscape.
Return Entertainment continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the smart TV gaming space. With plans to introduce more games and features, the platform is poised to become a cornerstone of entertainment in households across the globe attracting players of all ages and skill levels.
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