삼성, 기어VR용 게임업체에 투자

Published : Nov 5, 2014 - 13:54 Updated : Nov 5, 2014 - 13:54

► 기어 VR용 RPG게임 출시될 듯

삼성전자가 스마트폰 매출 부진 속에서 12월 출시 예정인 가상현실 기기 삼성 기어VR용 소프트웨어 개발을 위해 막바지 총력을 기울이고 있다.

업계 관계자에 따르면 “삼성전자는 최근 삼성 기어VR용 게임 개발업체에 투자한 상태이며, 이 게임 개발업체는 삼성 기어VR용 RPG게임을 곧 출시할 예정”이라고 밝혔다.

이 관계자는 자신의 게임 회사도 현재 기어 VR용 게임 개발을 계획하고 있다고 덧붙였다.

그러나 대부분의 게임이 현재 개발 중에 있어, 실제 시장에 출시되기까지는 시간이 걸릴 것으로 보인다.

삼성 기어VR은 지난 9월 독일 베를린 IFA 가전 전시회에서 선보여졌다.

“삼성 기어VR은 새로운 사용자 경험을 전달하며 게임뿐만 아니라 교육, 의료 산업 전반에 걸쳐 활용이 가능하다는 평가를 받고 있지만, 다소 떨어지는 화질 등 넘어야 할 문제도 있다”라고 한 업계 관계자가 말했다.

한편, 영국의 엔드림스(nDreams)라는 가상현실 소프트웨어 개발업체는 일인칭 슈팅게임인 거너(Gunner)와 사용자로 하여금 마치 해변에 있는 듯한 느낌을 주는 체험 앱인 퍼펙트 비치(Perfect Beach)라는 자사의 첫 기어 VR용 게임을 공개했고, 올해 안으로 출시할 예정이라고 밝혔다.

(코리아헤럴드 김영원 기자)

(사진설명: 삼성전자 기어VR용 헤드세트)

<관련 영문 기사>

Samsung to invest in VR gamers

Samsung Electronics is said to be investing in virtual reality game developers to boost its fledgling VR business amid sluggish smartphone sales, said sources with knowledge of the situation.

The South Korea tech giant‘s move comes as it needs to create an ecosystem for the Samsung Gear VR by financially supporting and encouraging software developers to make game content, sources explained.

“Samsung is making investment in game companies with great ideas and content for the headset,” said a source closed to the matter.

“As far as I know a local mobile role-playing game developer has received investment from Samsung, and will soon release its game for the Gear VR.”

The source noted that his game company is also planning to make one for the digital headset.

There are about three local companies that are preparing to launch VR games in the near future, while social network giant Facebook’s Oculus, with which Samsung partnered to develop the 3-D VR headset compatible with the Samsung Note 4, has established ties with Korean game content providers, another source said.

The Gear VR was unveiled at the IFA electronics trade show in Berlin last September.

However, given that most of the games are still being developed, it would take some time for them to hit the market.

Samsung could also be looking to invest in overseas VR game companies in an effort to spur the virtual hardware, a source said.

As a host of game companies worldwide are developing virtual 3-D games for the VR device, various types of games are expected to roll out next year after the headset is released as early as December.

U.K. developer nDreams, which used to work with Sony for VR games for the Playstaion game console, unveiled last September its first VR games – first person shooter Gunner, and Perfect Beach, an experience application enabling users to feel like they are relaxing on a beach.

Analysts estimated that the Gear VR could create a $7 billion market in four years.

“The Gear VR has great potential for game companies since the new device could bring a new user experience to gamers,” said an industry source.

Obstacles remain for Samsung as the gadget has relatively low display resolution, which could make the virtual experience less real.

By Kim Young-won
(wone0102@heraldcorp.com)