Samsung Gaming Hub expands with Amazon Luna’s addition

By Tomas Franzese Published August 3, 2022

Samsung Gaming Hub’s hold on cloud gaming just got a little bit stronger with the addition of Amazon Luna. Starting today, August 3, those who own Samsung’s 2022 smart TVs can see what Amazon Luna’s cloud gaming subscription service offers.

Samsung previously confirmed that Amazon Luna would come to the service, but it was not part of Samsung Gaming Hub as it originally rolled out on June 30 with cloud gaming services like Google Stadia, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Xbox Game Pass. After today, Samsung Gaming Hub users in North America can access Amazon Luna, which brings the total number of streamable games on the hub to over 1,000.

The Amazon Luna app running through Samsung Gaming Hub. — Amazon

Amazon Luna is a channel-based cloud gaming platform that first entered beta in late 2020. Digital Trends reviewed the platform earlier this year, but only gave it two-and-a-half stars. “Amazon Luna is a decent cloud gaming platform let down by a lack of compelling experiences,” the review says. “Content is king, and with stiff competition from now-restructured Stadia and Game Pass-driven Xbox Cloud Gaming, Luna doesn’t do much to stand out. It has some uses for very specific audiences and situations, but that isn’t enough to justify a monthly subscription for most people.”

Recommended Videos

Although we don’t think this is an amazing service, it’s still worth checking out for Samsung Gaming Hub users if they have an Amazon Prime subscription. Amazon Prime members can access a few games on Amazon Luna, free of charge, each month, so they’ll always have something to play. Throughout August, Amazon Prime members can play Control: Ultimate Edition, Steel Assault, a remake of Myst, and Garfield Kart: Furious Racing for free.

Samsung Gaming Hub is available now on 2022 Smart TVs at the BU8000 model and above and Samsung’s Smart Monitors Series.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

A former Gaming Staff Writer at Digital Trends, Tomas Franzese now reports on and reviews the latest releases and exciting…

Topics

Computing

Anthropic cracks down on video game cloning with new Claude restrictions

Claude can still help develop original games, but copying existing titles is now off the table.

Claude website open on laptop

AI has been making its way into video game development for a while now, but the recent developments have started raising some serious concerns. Popular games are being reverse-engineered with AI assistance, recreated for web browsers, and made playable on platforms they were never released for. Between all that, indie developers have started pulling down their demos over fears of getting copied. Anthropic has now stepped in with new restrictions for Claude Code.

The change was first spotted on X and subsequently confirmed by Anthropic's Addy Osmani. The new instructions prevent Claude from recreating specific existing games, even if they are renamed or presented as original projects. Users can still make original games, work on games within a genre, and use their own designs and assets.

Gaming

Ubisoft shares major Assassin’s Creed updates, including disappointing news about remakes

New Game+, a final Black Flag treat, and a 20th birthday on the horizon.

Assassin's Creed, Gaming, Remake

If you have been looking for an excuse to jump back into Assassin’s Creed, Ubisoft just gave you a couple of good ones. Its Fall 2026 update is packed with news, from fresh content to a big birthday celebration next year.

What’s new in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?

Gaming

Phantom Blade Zero hands-on: An extraordinary game with unbelievable combat that I can’t get enough of

Every fight feels like a beautifully choreographed martial arts movie, except I'm the one controlling every move.

Phantom Blade Zero poster

We have had a considerable number of high-profile game releases this year, but none so far have had as much hype behind them as Phantom Blade Zero. The source of all that hype was a 2023 trailer highlighting its fluid kung-fu-derived sword combat. Considering that, at the time of writing this piece, there are over 700,000 concurrent players on Steam alone, on a weekday no less, I think it's safe to say that the hype has converted into gamers actually showing up for the game. I have sunk around 10 hours into this game today, and so far, it has been nothing short of an absolute masterclass in action combat.

A world that pulls you in from the start