Samsung's GalaxyPlay Link game streaming app is here (Update: And it's gone)

Update, March 17 2020 (4:32AM ET): Samsung has quietly announced that PlayGalaxy Link will be discontinued, less than a year after its launch. The firm is however directing users to try out PlayGalaxy partner Parsec’s game streaming service. Read the full article over here.

Original article, August 14, 2019 (08:30 PM ET): At its Galaxy Note 10 Unpacked event, Samsung revealed only a preview of GalaxyPlay Link, its new game streaming service. TechCrunch then reported that it will officially launch in the first two weeks of September, and it will be released in the form of a free downloadable app. This will allow game streaming from users’ PCs to their Samsung Galaxy Note 10.

The outlet added that in November, the service will land for the Samsung Galaxy S10 family and will be coming to other Samsung devices in the near future. Samsung itself confirmed in December that the service is also available on Galaxy Note 9, the Galaxy S9 series, the Galaxy A90, and the Galaxy Fold.

The PC will need to be running Windows 10, and the gameplay will be streamed simultaneously across both devices. To accomplish this, GalaxyPlay Link leverages technology developed by gaming startup Parsec. Check it out in action below:

Over the years, Samsung has proven that it cares about mobile gaming. Its Game Launcher application and previous partnership with Epic Games proves that. But, on the heels of Google Stadia, Apple Arcade, and even Valve’s Steam Link, Samsung is looking to take a more serious step into game streaming with GalaxyPlay Link.

There are some potential downsides to game streaming though. Where services like NVIDIA GeForce Now have shown some promise, early reviews of Stadia have shown some possible pitfalls. As a result, potential issues like high internet usage, hidden costs, and a limited games library plague the industry’s future.

Related: Google Stadia review: This is the future of gaming, if you have the data for it

Each of the offerings tries to solve these problems in their own ways. In Samsung’s case, GalaxyPlay Link streams from your personal PC, so hopefully, you can stream games you already own, unlike Google Stadia. On the other hand, Samsung’s streaming service also looks like it will rely on a third-party controller to play your games. At least the Glap controller featured in the Samsung hands-on video appears to be a solid solution.

Hopefully, Samsung’s partnerships with Microsoft and Parsec will help iron out the rest of the possible kinks before the launch date. Only time will tell.