Last October, AirConsole and the BMW Group entered into a partnership to bring casual gaming to BMW vehicles. Now the pair plans to showcase the in-car gaming system at this year’s Gamescom. The event will be held in Cologne from August 23rd to 27th. Gamescom is the largest computer and video game event for the industry.
Attendees will have a chance to experience the in-car gaming system by visiting the AirConsole booth, where users can experience the gaming system from within a brand new BMW i5. Within the vehicle, attendees can test out multiple games and check out the system’s multiplayer gaming environment.
“10 months after expressing our ambitions to become a standard for casual gaming in the automotive world, the AirConsole team is extremely proud to showcase our new in-car gaming product with the BMW Group.” Says AirConsole CEO Anthony Cliquot. “With the BMW Group, we are looking forward to taking you for an in-car experience you won’t forget.”
The AirConsole in-car gaming system lets BMW drivers and passengers play games while the car is stationary. Each player uses their smartphone as a controller. To connect their smartphone to the in-car gaming console, users must scan a QR code on the vehicle’s curved display.
The BMW AIrConsole focuses on providing drivers and passengers with casual games rather than more intense games like RPGs and FPSs. At launch, the system will offer 15 titles, including OverCooked and Music Guess.
In-Car Gaming Competition
BMW and AirConsole aren’t the only companies providing in-car gaming. December’s holiday update brought Steam integration to specific Tesla models. Every title verified on Steam Deck is now available through Tesla’s Steam integration. Likewise, Honda and Sony are teaming up to bring PS5 gaming to Honda cars. The companies plan to integrate a PlayStation 5 into an electric Honda. For now, gaming in cars is thankfully limited to when the vehicle is not in motion. However, the idea of in-car gaming certainly leads to various safety concerns.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
