[DigitalToday reporter Lee Ho-jung] Game companies are expanding major game intellectual property (IP) into Galaxy themes in line with Samsung Electronics' launch of new foldable smartphones. They are offering themes to customers who buy the new devices by applying in-game characters and worlds to lock screens, wallpapers, icons and ringtones.

Netmarble, Nexon, Haejin and HoYoverse Korea have worked with Samsung Electronics to unveil special themes to mark the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8, the industry said on Thursday.

Each company applied signature characters and graphics to the smartphone user interface. The move broadens game IP across the entire screen so users can encounter characters and worlds even when they are not logged into the game.

Netmarble first introduced themes for "Seven Knights Re:Birth" and "Mongil: Star Dive". The Seven Knights Re:Birth theme is built around the costume of the character "Lu Bu" and puts dynamic energy into the lock screen and icons, with a strong engine sound suggesting a dash across the screen. The Mongil: Star Dive theme uses main characters "Mina" and "Narae", placing them in a garden background with drifting petals and bringing pastel colors and game art to the smartphone display.

Nexon unveiled a theme using "Sia Astel", a character from its mobile massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) "MapleStory M". Based on the character's setting as a guardian protecting the star's homeland, "Ort", it packaged wallpapers, icons and ringtones into a single set. Nexon also installed demo units of the new Galaxy devices at its offline user space, "Maple Ajit", near Exit 4 of Gangnam Station. It will run the site through Aug. 3 so visitors can try the new devices and download the MapleStory M theme.

Haejin produced a theme for the mobile idle baseball game "2026 Pro Baseball GO!". It applied a blue ballpark and players' movements to the lock screen, wallpaper and icons, focusing on recreating the atmosphere of a real stadium. Haejin also highlighted that the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra's expanded screen and display ratio allow users to check a club lineup and management status on a single screen.

HoYoverse Korea unveiled themes for "Genshin Impact" and "Honkai: Star Rail". The Genshin Impact theme is built around a journey guided by the character "Rinneia" and includes a lock screen, wallpaper and dedicated icons. The Honkai: Star Rail theme centers on the character "Blade" and applies sword and flame effects as graphic elements. Separately from Samsung Store events, HoYoverse also set up hands-on spaces at "Genshin Cafe in Seoul" and "Genshin PC Lounge" so visitors can try the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Fold8 and download the Genshin Impact theme on site.

Theme distribution is split between new-purchase benefits and offline hands-on events. In South Korea, customers who buy and activate the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 or Flip8 can download themes through the special theme event page on the Galaxy Store. Haejin, Nexon and HoYoverse will provide themes on the Galaxy Store from Aug. 4, while Netmarble will offer its themes through Oct. 31 without announcing a separate start date.

Offline events will be held at five locations, including Samsung Store Hongdae, Daejeon and Sangmu, and Shinsegae Daegu and Shinsegae Centum City. Visitors can download themes by tapping their Galaxy smartphones on a near-field communication (NFC) terminal installed in stores.