With advances in car infotainment systems, it was only a matter of time before video games found their way into vehicles. Several automakers already offer such entertainment options, and this trend is only expected to accelerate.
Back in 2022, German carmaker BMW announced its entry into this market after signing a deal with AirConsole, one of the world’s largest game streaming and cloud platforms. Founded in 2015, the service currently offers 137 different game titles, including the ever-popular Silly World, Go Kart Go and Split Force Zero.
The range of games available for use in the car is not very extensive, with only 19 games available, including “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”, “Battleships” and “Golazo”. Or rather 20 titles, because thanks to BMW, the popular card game UNO will soon be included in the range. And that is a first in the industry.
The arrival of UNO in BMW cars was announced by the German automaker a week before the opening of gamescom 2024, the world’s largest video game event, in Cologne.
There, people will be able to experience the game for the first time in BMW and MINI vehicles, as it will be running in an X3 at the AirConsole booth. On August 21, the day the event opens its doors, the German automaker will begin rolling it out to around half a million vehicles around the world via an over-the-air update.
Like all other games that can be played in the car, UNO only works when the vehicle is stationary. It can be played using the AirConsole game controller system, which connects passengers’ personal devices to the car’s infotainment systems. This version of UNO can be played by four people at once.
However, not all BMW and MINI owners can enjoy the game. For AirConsole to work, the vehicles must be equipped with the 9 operating system and have the Digital Premium (BMW) or Connected (MINI) packages. Alternatively, vehicles with the 8.5 operating system in conjunction with BMW ConnectedDrive Professional also have this function.
AirConsole is available in BMW vehicles sold in over 40 countries in Europe, Asia, Australia and the USA. No matter how advanced your vehicle or where you are, AirConsole is not available in the 2 Series Coupe, 3 Series and 4 Series.
A record number of exhibitors are expected at gamescom 2024: Over 1,400 companies from 64 countries will present their latest achievements. These include companies that are not normally involved in this industry, including Airbus, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Mercedes-Benz.
Several high-profile announcements are expected, including news on Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Monster Hunter Wilds, Marvel Rivals, Dune Awakening, and Indiana Jones and the Ancient Circle.
BMW
