Interview: How the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 brings faithful action to "solo leveling: ARISE"

In the world of game production, turning a popular story into an immersive, interactive experience is both a challenge and a true art form. The game Solo Leveling: ARISE—the first adaptation of the Solo Leveling franchise, which has attracted millions of fans and boasts over 14.3 billion views worldwide—is a prime example of this transformation. As the gaming sector pushes the boundaries of visual storytelling, the technology behind the screen plays a crucial role in faithfully interpreting these dynamic universes.

To explore this intersection of creativity and technology, Samsung Newsroom spoke with the developers of Solo Leveling: ARISE about how they portrayed the fierce action and modern visuals of the webtoon in the game, and how the Odyssey OLED G8 aided that process.

Founded in 2000, Netmarble has become a leader in South Korea's gaming sector thanks to innovative strategies and strong partnerships. Since 2012, the company has seen massive success in mobile gaming with titles like Modoo Marble, Seven Knights, and Solo Leveling: ARISE. Building on its domestic success, Netmarble is now expanding its global reach to offer premium gaming experiences to players worldwide.

"With the Odyssey OLED G8, I could see attack animations more clearly, which helped me dodge them more precisely. I also noticed effects and background details I hadn't seen before." — Kim Cesong, Combat Balance Team, Solo Leveling: ARISE

(From left) Huang Huna, Dungeon Team Leader, and Kim Cesong, Combat Balance Team, at Netmarble Neo, the developer of "Solo Leveling: ARISE."

Q: What are your roles in the development of "Solo Leveling: ARISE"?

Huna: I am responsible for creating the dungeons and monsters. This involves designing the environments where battles take place and developing the creatures players encounter. Essentially, I set the META* tactics of the game to ensure players have a satisfying and engaging combat experience. *(META: An acronym for 'Most Effective Tactic Available,' representing the best strategies or approaches for players in a game.)

Cesong: I am in charge of combat balance. My role is to allow players to design their own combat styles by combining various elements such as weapons, skills, hunters, and shadows. Players enjoy control and action that vary based on these combinations, as well as various buffs and debuffs for both characters and enemies, which further enhances their attacks for clearing dungeons and difficult bosses.

Q: Can you tell us more about "Solo Leveling: ARISE"? What did you focus on most during development?

Huna: Solo Leveling: ARISE is an action RPG based on the popular webtoon. We tried to stay faithful to the original work while using our expertise to enhance the experience with high-quality action scenes and a cinematic feel so that players could fully enjoy the game.

Cesong: Given the popularity of the original material, our goal was to faithfully portray the unique fighting styles of all the characters. We allow players to experiment with different skills and weapons. Additionally, we wanted to offer something special, so we added new, original content and "behind-the-scenes" stories not found in the webtoon, giving the game a fresh dimension.

Huna: For this game, we wanted fast-paced combat and the freedom to apply different fighting styles. The goal was to avoid a "one-size-fits-all" approach and allow players to adapt their strategies according to the boss and the challenge they are facing.

Cesong: We placed emphasis on the balance between different characters, monsters, and dungeons. For each character, we added special skills and combinations alongside their unique abilities from the original series. It was challenging to maintain balance by adjusting combat range, damage levels, and speed to make the fight more interesting, especially in team play.

Q: As game developers, what do you think are the most important elements of a gaming environment? Does the Odyssey OLED G8 deliver satisfying results?

Cesong: In an action RPG like Solo Leveling: ARISE, players rely heavily on visual cues, such as character movements and detailed environments. Therefore, a screen that can display this information clearly is crucial. A large monitor specifically improves the visibility of character movements and offers a wider field of view.

The wide screen and high resolution of the Odyssey OLED G8 made it easier to spot even the smallest details, which also helps gamers play better. For example, I could see attack animations more clearly, which helped me dodge with more precision.

Huna: An exceptional monitor like the Odyssey OLED G8, which has excellent contrast and vivid colors, can truly highlight the game's unique art style. The clear images and wide color gamut of the 4K OLED panel were a huge help in discussions with the art team regarding character effects, allowing us to discuss color details and expressions with high accuracy.

Q: What other aspects are important for action RPGs?

Cesong: A high refresh rate is key for smooth gameplay. It guarantees a seamless transition from scene to scene without stuttering or flickering, which reduces eye strain and contributes to a more fluid experience.

Huna: To fully experience the intense battles and animated characters, you need a monitor with a fast response time and high resolution. The high refresh rate of the Odyssey OLED G8 makes the combat in Solo Leveling: ARISE flow smoothly and without issues.

Q: Which features of the Odyssey OLED G8 would you recommend to those playing "Solo Leveling: ARISE"?

Huna: The Odyssey OLED G8 has a lot to offer, but what really stands out is the OLED Glare Free feature. Other monitors using anti-reflective films usually blur the colors. On the other hand, this monitor reduces glare while offering a vivid and clear image.

Also, the Dynamic Black Equalizer function really helps in dark dungeons to easily spot hidden details. I heartily recommend players use this feature to enjoy every detail.

• OLED Glare Free: UL-verified technology that reduces glare from external light sources and offers a screen that is 54% less glossy than standard anti-reflective film.

• Dynamic Black Equalizer: A feature that analyzes the brightness of game scenes and automatically adjusts sharpness, saturation, and black details to improve visibility in dark areas.

Cesong: One feature I think will be extremely useful for players is the Game Bar. By selecting the genre you are playing, the Game Bar automatically optimizes the picture and sound quality for that specific genre. Depending on the selected genre, screen brightness adjusts for better visibility and provides richer sound, which truly draws you deeper into the game.

Q: What is your message to players enjoying "Solo Leveling: ARISE"?

Huna: I hope you will fully dive into the incredible art and combat of Solo Leveling: ARISE with a gaming monitor that supports a high refresh rate and high resolution. The Odyssey OLED G8, with its 4K 240Hz screen and fast response time, is an excellent choice for this game.

Cesong: The gaming features of the Odyssey OLED G8 are great for smooth, immersive gameplay. My advice is to experiment with different strategies and combat styles in the game to find your own way of playing and have the best possible experience.