BMW brings mobile gaming to the fight with Tesla

Fresh technology designed to make the most of down-time behind the wheel promises to erode one of Tesla’s competitive advantages.

BMW is bringing video games to 2023 model vehicles.

BMW owners will be able to play video games using in-car displays from 2023, giving the brand a new advantage over luxury rivals.

A partnership with AirConsole will allow passengers to use their mobile phones as controllers for simple video games shown on the cars’ central infotainment screens.

BMW is bringing gaming into cars with AirConsole.

The move is an evolution of AirConsole’s existing business, which encourages people to combine their phones with smart televisions or laptops to play games without a physical console.

The service costs $4.99 per month, or $17.99 for a year.

AirConsole says it will bring its gaming platform to all new BMW MINI models starting mid-2023.

AirConsole delivers cloud-based gaming to televisions, computers and mobile phones.

“With cars becoming more autonomous, passengers will spend orders of magnitude more time on entertainment,” it says.

“With ease of access at its core, AirConsole aims to turn any passenger into a casual player, and become the standard for in-car gaming.”

BMW spokesman Stephan Durach says the gaming feature “will make every waiting situation inside the vehicle, such as charging, an enjoyable moment”.

Tesla’s Beach Buggy Racing is a winner for kids.

Tesla was the first manufacturer to popularise in-car gaming with quirky options such as its Mario Kart-like “Beach Buggy Racing” game controlled using the car’s steering wheel.

Tesla’s next-generation cars promise much more powerful gaming capability.

Sony promises to be a leader in the in-car gaming space when it releases an electric car jointly developed with Honda.

The latest Tesla Model S has a powerful gaming computer.

The entertainment giant’s concept cars provided an extension of its PlayStation gaming system, allowing passengers to pause a game in their loungeroom and pick up where they left off in the car.