October 2, 2024 – Return Entertainment, a pioneering Finland-based developer of cloud-native technology and games, is proud to announce the ongoing success of its cutting-edge smart TV gaming platform, available exclusively on Samsung Smart TVs in the United States. Launched in May 2024, with their debut game, Rivals Arena, the platform has redefined how Samsung owners engage with their TVs, offering a seamless and immersive gaming experience that transforms smartphones into powerful game controllers.
A Breakthrough in TV Entertainment Technology: Blending Casual Viewing with Interactive Gaming
Return Entertainment’s 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.
Vesa Jutila, CEO of Return Entertainment, remarked: "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 TVs 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. “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.”
Technological Excellence: Superior Streaming Quality in Challenging Conditions and Improved AI Capabilities for Smart TVs
The platform’s design is a technical achievement. 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.
A New Era of Monetization on Smart TVs: Pioneering 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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For more information, visit Return Entertainment's website. Pictures can be found here.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Vesa Jutila
CEO
vesa@returnentertainment.com
About Return Entertainment
Return Entertainment develops cloud-native technology and games for the next wave of mass entertainment - smart TV cloud gaming. Designed for mainstream consumers, players can enjoy big screen playtime by using their smartphones as controllers. Return Entertainment is backed up by Sisu Game Ventures, Bitkraft Ventures, Vgames, 1Up Ventures, SMOK Ventures and Samsung Next.