Samsung Electronics will demonstrate new games and Skype group calls for its smart TVs at next month's IFA trade show in Berlin.
Manufacturers have for the last couple of years struggled to convince consumers to upgrade their TVs. Samsung, LG and Sony are betting that a growing range of applications will boost sales, coupled with 4K resolution.
Samsung is adding games such as "Need for Speed: Most Wanted", "Real Football 2014" and "Golf Star" to its line-up. Users will be able to play with Samsung's remote Smart Control, the company's dedicated Gamepad as well as some Galaxy smartphones and tablets.
It isn't just the TV manufacturers that are hoping games will attract consumers. When Amazon launched the Fire TV box earlier this year, gaming was a key component of the product. The same goes for Google's upcoming Android TV platform.
Samsung is trying to leverage gaming's popularity on smartphones and tablets, and not just to make the TVs more attractive. By offering games in mobile devices and TVs, Samsung hopes to convince consumers to buy both types of devices from it.
An important part of this push is also to make it easy for developers to convert their mobile games to run on TVs. For example, this weekend Amazon is hosting an event with Seattle indie game incubator HouseOgames. It's billed as "a great opportunity" for developers to get their hands on all of Amazon's devices and the services it offers to game developers.
At IFA, Samsung will also demonstrate a new Skype app with group and full HD video calls.
The Skype app and the new games will be available to download for free globally -- including Europe, South Korea, and the U.S. -- through the Games Panel on Samsung's TVs, the company said without offering any details on the timing.
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