Samsung has discontinued its “Creature Collection” feature within the Gaming Hub application for Galaxy devices, rolling out the change with the release of Gaming Hub version 8.0.00.19 around . This update also introduced new functionalities, including the ability for users to compare their gameplay statistics against others, segmenting data by titles played and time spent.
The Creature Collection, which allowed players to unlock unique collectible “monsters” by completing in-game missions and hatching virtual eggs, has been entirely removed from the Samsung Gaming Hub. Simultaneously, Android Authority reported that the Gaming Hub update also abandoned the “Gaming timeline” feature, which previously tracked achievement progress. In a move aimed at mitigating user disappointment, Samsung has made all previously unlockable creatures immediately available for users to set as their profile pictures within the app, removing the requirement for missions or progress levels.
The Creature Collection feature was described as an interactive element within the Gaming Hub, crafting missions based on gaming history to reward players with unique eggs. While Samsung reportedly cited a “lack of popularity” for the feature’s removal, some users expressed a personal attachment to it. One Reddit user commented, I don’t know about everyone else but I liked the Creature Collection, and it was really the one main reason I used the game launcher, other then the Steam like play time tracking.
. The new additions focus on social comparison and data analytics, allowing users to view detailed statistics such as most-played titles and total playtime, a shift towards more competitive and data-driven engagement within the platform.
The primary reason provided for the removal of the Creature Collection feature was its lack of popularity
, according to reporting by Android Authority. This aligns with broader trends in the mobile gaming industry where features are often evaluated based on user engagement and key performance indicators (KPIs). As one game-engine developer noted on Reddit, the mobile gaming industry frequently prioritizes “hunting KPIs” over creating experiences for the sole purpose of fun, which can lead to the deprecation of less-engaged features. This suggests that features that do not demonstrate significant user retention or monetization potential may be streamlined to optimize platform resources and focus on more impactful functionalities.
Specific metrics regarding the “lack of popularity” of the Creature Collection, such as the exact number or percentage of users who actively engaged with the feature, have not been publicly disclosed by Samsung. The company has also not released an official statement detailing the decision-making process behind the feature’s removal beyond the general sentiment reported by media outlets. Furthermore, there is no detailed breakdown of the development resources that were previously allocated to the Creature Collection versus the new playtime comparison features.
For users, the immediate next step involves adapting to the updated Gaming Hub interface and exploring the newly available playtime comparison features. All previously locked creature avatars are now accessible without any additional effort. This approach to feature deprecation, where rewards are preserved even if the engagement mechanism is removed, is consistent with expert recommendations for managing product changes. Simon Willison, a prominent technologist, emphasizes that Compatibility is product. Design your deprecations as migrations with time, tooling, and empathy
. This strategy aims to minimize negative user impact while evolving the platform. Samsung is expected to continue enhancing the Gaming Hub with features that drive competitive engagement and provide more data-driven insights for its user base.
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