Car brands with next-level gaming tech
How Tesla and other brands are using gaming to level-up their in-car entertainment
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In-car entertainment has come a long way, with today’s vehicles becoming entertainment hubs on wheels. And it’s only getting more competitive, with some carmakers integrating video games into their infotainment systems and turning waiting time into playtime.
Tesla has been at the forefront of this innovation, but other brands such as BMW, Mini, and Mercedes are also bringing their own spins on in-car gaming.
Sam Sheehan, our motoring editor, explored the current trends in in-car gaming and what the future of mobile entertainment might bring.
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Tesla: leading the in-car gaming charge
When Tesla added gaming to its cars, it made sure to offer next-level entertainment. With Steam integration, drivers could enjoy PC favourites such as The Witcher, Skyforce Reloaded, and Doom Eternal while waiting at a Supercharger.
However, Tesla recently decided to phase out Steam for its new Model S and Model X cars, as well as for any other future models. Owners of cars that already have Steam support will still enjoy their existing games as of now.
While the shift may be due to limited interest in in-car video games for now, there's undoubtedly a significant market for it.
With the gaming industry projected to exceed $363 billion by 2027 and the number of gamers worldwide doubling the number of vehicles on the road, it’s likely that Tesla has more entertainment innovations planned for drivers.
In the meantime, Tesla hasn’t left drivers high and dry. With 75 new titles added to the YouTube Playables library, drivers can enjoy games such as Angry Birds, Chess, and Tomb of the Mask.
And if that’s not enough, Beach Buggy Racing 2 lets drivers race with other drivers at the Supercharger while waiting for their car to power up. It takes about 15 minutes to charge up to 200 miles at a Supercharger, and a bit of healthy competition makes that time fly by even faster.
One Tesla Motors Club forum user said: “300 miles a week would suggest about two Supercharger visits weekly, maybe 20-30 minutes each time. But you can watch movies or play games in the car while doing so. Beach Buggy Racing now supports playing against other people at the Supercharger. I'd prefer if the charge rate was stated in ‘hours of Beach Buggy Racing’ metric.”
 "Tesla Model S front three quarters")
Other brands joining the game
Tesla may have kicked off the trend, but it’s far from alone in the race to transform driving downtime. Several other brands have rolled out their own gaming features, offering unique twists on in-car entertainment.
BMW: bringing multiplayer fun on the road
BMW is making waves with its partnership with AirConsole. This feature lets passengers jump into multiplayer games, using their smartphones as controllers.
The wide range of games, including “Go Kart Go”, “Golazo”, and “Overcooked”. Plus, with the new iDrive 9, more immersive gaming experiences are on the horizon for BMW drivers.
In September 2024, BMW Group, AirConsole, and Mattel teamed up to bring the classic card game UNO® to in-car gaming. Debuting at gamescom 2024 in the new BMW X3, UNO® Car Party! allows up to four players to connect their phones to the car’s infotainment system while stationary.
From August 21st, it'll hit over 500,000 BMW and MINI vehicles via an over-the-air update.
We can’t wait to see this integrated with BMW’s crazy Theatre Screen, too.
Mini: fun games with AirConsole
Mini's in-car experience is also stepping up. Mini Connected upgrades allow drivers and passengers to play a variety of casual games via AirConsole – in exactly the same way as BMWs, with Mini being part of the BMW Group – using their smartphones while the car is stationary.
Honda e: plug and play gaming
Honda’s electric vehicle, the Honda e, has taken a slightly different approach to in-car gaming. By adding a 3-pin plug and an HDMI port, drivers can connect their console and play games right on the car's display screen. That’s something usually reserved for camper vans.
While not built-in, this option lets drivers play titles like Deathloop on the 10-inch screen, turning their EV into a mobile gaming station.
Mercedes-Benz: gaming meets luxury
Mercedes-Benz is pairing luxury with leisure by offering in-car classics such as TETRIS® and a variety of Mini Games through its “Individualisation Package” – and you can enjoy it in a used Mercedes, too.
Drivers can enjoy these familiar titles while parked or waiting through the car’s touchscreen and controls.
Mercedes is also working on cloud gaming features, showing signs of more to come for tech-savvy drivers (and presumably a play to keep up with BMW).
Android Auto: games on the go
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Android Auto’s latest update brings in-car gaming via Game Snacks, letting drivers enjoy puzzles and strategy games such as ZooBoom and 2048 Giant on their infotainment display while parked.
This is a huge disruption in the in-car gaming space because a lot more cars support Android Auto than have gaming built-in to their infotainment systems.
Drivers will, of course, need to put their vehicle in park to access the games, making it a perfect way to pass the time during charging or taking a break on a long journey.
Sony Concept Car: high-tech gaming on the go
Taking things all the way to the future, Sony's Vision-S concept car redefines in-car entertainment with its cutting-edge features.
It boasts 360 Reality Audio for an immersive audio experience, a panoramic screen for video and gaming, and remote PlayStation® gaming via 5G.
And, with advanced controls and individual seat speakers, it promises a luxurious, interactive ride for everyone on board.
Safety and law
Self-driving cars aren’t legal in the UK at the moment, but when they are, the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 says drivers can use infotainment systems while the car’s driving itself. It’s unconfirmed but that could mean gaming on the go – very futuristic.
For now, thankfully, these systems are usually only available when the car is parked up to avoid any dangerous driving.
The research shows even using handheld devices delays reactions, and doing so will get you six points and a £200 fine, so it makes sense that gaming is even more distracting.
In-car gaming is quickly moving from a fun extra to a standard feature on higher-end cars, transforming how we spend our time on the road.
With Tesla setting the bar high and other major brands rapidly following suit, the future of in-car leisure looks bright.
As the technology evolves, the future of in-car gaming is shaping up to be as dynamic and engaging as the drives themselves.